NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A private security company that is trusted to help keep Nashville safe is accused of twisting the facts in order to get the job.

Video: Security Company Faces Questions Of Deception

Wackenhut wasn't the lowest bidder when Metro was looking for a security company. But Wackenhut got extra points by saying it would subcontract 20 percent of its contract to a local small business, Specialized Security Consultants (SSC), run out of a house in Mount Juliet.

Wackenhut was quick to lay the blame on SSC after the Davidson County Election Commission break-in last December and blamed SSC when Metro discovered it was overbilled.

But now Metro lawyers have said the two companies really aren't very separate.

Metro alleges that Wackenhut moved some its own guards to the SSC roster, Wackenhut did their payroll, ordered their uniforms, performed their background checks and that SSC used Wackenhut's office space.

A contract document signed by Wackenhut's general manager promises Wackenhut is not involved in the operation or management of its subcontractor.

"If, in fact, that's what has happened," said Councilman Jim Gotto, "then it was just a subsidiary of Wackenhut."

Gotto said if Metro lawyers prove the allegations, it's a case of deception.

"To the extent that somebody goes in and cheats, if you will, to try to gain an advantage, I think they're doing the whole community a disservice," Gotto said.

Metro Finance Director Rich Riebling said they're looking at all of their options, one of which is rebidding the contract.

Because of what it calls "negligent misrepresentation," Metro wants out of its five-year contact.

Both Wackenhut and SSC's owner were unavailable for a comment.