Police: Man faked credentials for security firm, didn't pay Greensburg man

Pennsylvania State Police say a New Jersey man who claimed to operate an area security firm had fraudulent credentials and was using a state certification number that belongs to someone else.

Kenneth L. Wilson, 48, was charged in Greensburg with theft and tampering with public records.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Trooper Steve Limani described Wilson as a “con man.”

“We had a person that was a criminal that is acting as a person that’s protecting people,” Limani said. “He’s doing it through fraudulent, criminal means.”

A Greensburg private investigator who was hired by Wilson in July to work a security detail in Pittsburgh started looking closer at the suspect’s credentials after Wilson failed to pay him $883 for the work, according to court papers. Troopers allege Wilson tried to pay the private investigator seven times between Aug. 7 and Sept. 29, but each transaction was denied or canceled.

“Unfortunately, he comes off very convincing of his credentials and, obviously, he’s fairly knowledgeable when it comes to what you need to have and what you need to do for security,” Limani said.

The private investigator looked a bit closer at Wilson’s Pennsylvania credentials and found discrepancies in the wording and font, police said in court papers. Investigators learned Wilson was using a state certification number belonging to a Scranton man. Private agents are required by law to obtain the certification through the state police to carry a lethal weapon.

Wilson told a Tribune-Review reporter that the victim “should have been paid.” He disputed police accusations that he doesn’t have proper certifications.

“I was told he was paid, but if he wasn’t I’ll take care of it,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s claim he was a military veteran was false, police said. There is the possibility of additional victims.

“Extremely dangerous to have somebody like that that’s out there — he’s a con man that’s trying to act as a security guard for high level events,” Limani said. “I’d be shocked if we don’t have more victims that come forward that said they hired him based on his credentials.”

Police said Wilson has used numerous aliases, dates of birth and Social Security numbers and also lacks the proper certifications to work in security in New Jersey.

The business Wilson names on his LinkedIn page is not listed in Department of State filings.

He also is being sought by police in Montgomery County in connection with a 2017 burglary and Maryland police.

Wilson is set for sentencing March 26 in Bucks County in a 2017 burglary case. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or state police at 724-832-3288.