Metro Asks Security Contractor For Reimbursement

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A fight is brewing between the city of Nashville and its security company, Wackenhut Security, the I-Team reported on Thursday.

Video: Metro Asks Security Contractor For Reimbursement

The rift comes after the I-Team discovered years of security breaches in Metro government, and the city wants some of its money back and possibly a new security force.

First, two computers containing the Social Security numbers of every taxpayer in Davidson County were stolen, and the I-Team then discovered four additional laptops had been stolen from city buildings in the past five years.

After all of the issues, the city wants payback from Wackenhut.

"I'm glad that we're pursuing damages," Councilman Michael Craddock said.

A letter from Nashville Law Director Sue Cain to Wackenhut Security asks for more than $840,000 in expenses.

The city wants to be paid back not only for mailings to alert taxpayers and for offering identity theft protection but also for services the city said Wackenhut never provided.

"They're overbilling us to the tune of $21,000 for services that they didn't even provide; that's theft," Craddock said.

There's also a question about Wackenhut's performance. Previous I-Team investigations show how thieves made off with four laptops.

The letter from the city even said Wackenhut failed to provide security in the December laptop thefts at the Metro Election Commission. The letter also indicated that Nashville may be looking for a new provider of security services.

"Quite frankly, if it were my decision, I'd probably fire them and start over," said Craddock.

Senior Vice President of Wackenhut Marc Shapiro issued a statement that said, “We are reviewing the letter we just recently received from Metro government and intend to respond directly to our client by the date requested."

The city said four months have passed since it first sent a letter to Wackenhut requesting reimbursement, and it hasn't received anything yet.