Saracen Casino Board Votes to Fire Two Top Executives

The operating authority of Saracen Casino Resort voted to replace General Manager Matt Harkness and Chief Market Officer Carlton Saffa amid allegations of misconduct. Saracen Executives Accused of Running Competing Gaming Business The resolution was approved unanimously by the Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Nation 5-0 on September 24. The terminations will not be official until they are approved by the Quapaw Nation Business Committee, as reported by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The casino is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and is owned by the Quapaw Nation and regulated by the authority. The resolution said Harkness and Saffa helped establish a separate gaming business called GamePhysics. The authority said the executives sold the company’s products or services to other companies doing business in Arkansas’ gambling industry. The activity was inconsistent with their duties of employment at Saracen, the document said. It cited restrictions on engaging in competing activities and outside business interests for terminating their employment. Harkness is also facing separate allegations about the casino’s financial management. The authority said he did not provide the financial oversight expected of a general manager. It tied the alleged oversight gap to financial turmoil at the resort. The resolution also touched on sponsorship and charitable contributions. It alleged that Harkness and Saffa authorized payments in excess of Saracen’s internal limits without the approval of the board. The authority considered this conduct as further grounds for dismissal. Saffa Defends Saracen Tenure as Termination Decision Awaits Approval Saffa has denied the allegations and said the resolution did not properly reflect the circumstances. He said he was blindsided when he heard about the decision and had been placed on paid administrative leave, as far as he knew. Saffa said he had a period of great growth when he was with Saracen. He joined in 2019 before the casino opened, and said the operation had gone from one employee to about 1,200 workers. He also said he has already received several job offers since the announcement. Saracen is currently completing a major expansion of its property. In April, the resort launched its 1,600-seat event center, and in June opened a new hotel with 318 rooms. The expansion, including the 14-story hotel tower and event facilities, was part of the Quapaw Nation’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars. The additions have greatly expanded the resort’s capacity for both accommodation and entertainment. Saracen began casino operations in 2020 after voters in Arkansas approved casino gaming in Jefferson County. It is one of three commercial casinos in the state, along with the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and the Southland Casino Hotel. The authority’s resolution now goes to the Quapaw Nation Business Committee for approval. The proposed terminations are not final until a decision is made.