State scrutinizes security companies

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The state is looking at whether a security guard company should get a state license to operate, especially since it appears to be very similar to a defunct security company accused of bad practices.

The Regulation and Licensing Department is worried that the company is changing its name to cover up for another security guard company with bad practices.

Superintendent Kelly O'Donnell said state investigators are looking into whether Legit Security hired security guards who do not have licenses. Many employees also say Legit Security owes them money.

News 13 confirmed that the U.S. Department of Labor is looking into those allegations.

The owner of Legit Security, Joe Stidham admits he owes around 50 former employees an estimated $80,000. He said he's had financial difficulties, adding that he closed his doors and stopped operation about a month ago.

In the meantime, ICU Security has applied for a security guard license. The board will consider the application on Tuesday morning.

The owner of that company Ron Haley said he has no business connection to Legit Security.

Haley is a Bosque Farms police officer, under the direction of Chief Joe Stidham who owns Legit Security.

Haley has also sent out notices to Legit's clients, trying to pickup its accounts. A state official said she fears that ICU Security is really Legit Security in disguise.

"The fact that they have, involved with that company a lot of the same people who are involved with Legit, is of concern for us," Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Kelly O'Donnell said. "ICU Security seems to have some of the same principals as Legit Security and that's always going to be a red flag for us."

Tuesday morning, the state will consider ICU's license. As for Legit Security, Albuquerque police said they're investigating Stidham and Gil Baca and their operations with Legit Security.

The District Attorney's office is also looking at the case for possible charges. Neither officer would tell us about the allegations, or what those charges could be.