Yesterday, we reported on Union Hospital’s decision to change security companies. That article was the first in a series we will be sharing about the operations of private security companies in Terre Haute and around the state.

Terre Haute Vice News has received multiple reports of unethical conduct by local security agencies including operating without a license, not paying employees, and allegations of ghost employment.

The Indiana Private Licensing Agency shows that the license for Professional Security Enterprises expired in October of 2023. PSE is owned by former Terre Haute Police Department Detective Jeff Trotter and had been the security agency used by Union Hospital.

It is unclear at this time if Union Hospital’s decision to change security companies is related to PSE’s license expiration, and it is unknown if, or for how long, PSE may have been operating without a license.

According to Indiana law, “A person may not: (1) engage in business as a security guard agency; (2) solicit or advertise for business as a security guard agency; or (3) represent or hold a person out as a security guard agency; unless the person is licensed as a security guard agency.”

According to PSE’s website, they have provided security for not only Union Hospital, but also Regional Hospital, Sullivan County Hospital, The Mill, and the Terre Haute Casino Resort.

Allegations have also been made by multiple former employees that they were not receiving their paychecks in a timely manner, with at least one individual claiming that money was stolen and that employees were sometimes not paid for weeks.

Our next article will cover allegations of ghost employment. Ghost employment is defined by the state this way, “A state officer, employee or special state appointee shall not engage in, or direct others to engage in, work other than the performance of official duties during working hours, except as permitted by general written agency, departmental or institutional policy or regulation.