Finally! Some Relief for Guards at Federal Buildings

Federal Homeland Security Officials conceded at a Press Conference today there are 21 private Security Firms that are still owed about eight million dollars and its money that's been owed for years....all the way back to 9-eleven in some cases.

Tuesday Homeland Security officials apologized and admitted to mistakes in processing the invoices from the private vendors.

It was Robert Jenkins' story, first reported by 9NEWS NOW last week and brought to DC Congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes, that spurred Tuesday's public admission and promises of improvements.

Jenkins Security had been owed nearly $2 million by DHS and when the company was unable to meet payroll last week, 80% of its workers stayed off the job. Managers had to step in at federal locations.

Jenkins who was at Tuesday's press conference on Capitol Hill says DHS came up with a million dollars owed the firm after our story. He told 9NEWS NOW afterwards that while it's been a nightmare he's confident, "They'll get it right this time."

The federal agency Tuesday promised to make good on all the past due bills for private security by August 3rd when Congress adjourns for the summer.

And Julie Myers, Assistant DHS Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also promised to look into Keith Howard's case.

As reported by 9NEWS NOW Monday, Howard says his company Area-Wide security was forced into bankruptcy in 2003 when DHS failed to pay $1.2 million for guard services. Howard was also at the press conference. In an emotional plea he stood up and publicly asked for the Assistant Secretary's help.

Congresswoman Norton, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, says she'll continue to monitor payments to the private security firms. She said Tuesday that Jenkins and the other security firm owners "need to be made whole."