News Summary
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against security firm Protection Plus, accusing it of violating federal wage laws and being unfit to operate. The investigation uncovered multiple breaches dating back to 2016, including significant back wages and civil penalties. Past citations and ongoing scrutiny have led to potential sanctions from state authorities, including license revocation. Despite company claims of miscalculations, the case highlights serious concerns over employment practices within the security industry, prompting actions by multiple agencies and contract suspensions.
Indianapolis – The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against the local security firm Protection Plus for failing to adhere to federal wage laws, alleging that the company is “unfit to practice” as of October 15. Protection Plus, which provides security personnel including off-duty police officers for various venues such as Citizens Energy, Lucas Oil Stadium, and the Indiana Convention Center, is accused of significant violations within the security profession.
The recent complaint follows an ongoing investigation by the Attorney General’s office, which started in 2022. The inquiry uncovered numerous breaches of regulations concerning employee wages, specifically citing non-compliance with federal wage laws as a core issue. This non-compliance has led to the classification of Protection Plus as unfit to operate within its professional domain.
According to the complaint, the violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act occurred during two specific periods: May 3, 2016, to May 2, 2018, and May 13, 2018, to January 7, 2021. Protection Plus has faced scrutiny before; the U.S. Department of Labor has issued three citations against the company in the past five years for similar infractions. In 2018, the firm was required to pay nearly $99,000 in overdue overtime wages to 158 workers and incurred a civil penalty of $25,000 for willful violations. The situation escalated in 2022, when Protection Plus paid a combined total of over $370,000 in back wages and damages to 215 workers, along with a civil penalty of $69,540 as mandated by court orders following another violation discovered by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Further complications arose when a federal investigation in 2024 revealed that Protection Plus owed $28,334 in overtime back wages to 31 security professionals. This prompted an additional civil penalty of $27,597 for repeat offenses, intensifying concerns about the company’s adherence to wage laws.
Aaron Loomis, the District Director of the Wage and Hour Division, noted that compliance with federal wage standards is not optional and that Protection Plus’s ongoing disregard for these laws has drawn relentless attention.
The Indiana State Private Investigator and Security Guard Board is scheduled to convene on December 2 to evaluate potential repercussions for Protection Plus, which could include sanctions such as suspension or revocation of its operating license. This scrutiny is part of a broader context where Protection Plus has faced increasing pressure regarding its employment practices.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 filed a separate complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s office in 2023, persisting in their request for the company’s license to be revoked due to ongoing wage violations. As a response to the deteriorating situation, various agencies, including the Marion County Public Health Department, have opted to terminate their contracts with Protection Plus.
Currently, Protection Plus retains contracts with several clients, including Citizens Energy, whose contract is set to expire in September 2026. Additionally, the City of Indianapolis has already faced issues with the company, having suspended Protection Plus from city projects for six months, a suspension that was lifted on November 5, following undisclosed findings from federal investigations.
Despite the mounting criticism and claims of wrongdoing, leadership at Protection Plus has asserted that the issues primarily stem from miscalculations in overtime rates rather than any intentional malpractice. The company continues to express a commitment to improving payment accuracy and maintaining a reputable standing within the industry.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Indianapolis Takes Action Against Security Company Over Wage Violations
Additional Resources
- WRTV: Attorney General Files Complaint Against Indy-based Security Company
- Google Search: Attorney General complaint Indiana Protection Plus
- WRTV: Indy Security Company Cited for Federal Wage Law Violations
- Wikipedia: Fair Labor Standards Act
- WRTV: City Suspends Security Company for Wage Violations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wage and Hour Law
- WTHR: How to Find Unclaimed Money in Indiana
- Google News: Indiana wage violations
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
