LAKE NONA, Fla. — Eyewitness News learned that a convicted felon was allowed to watch over the $625 million veterans hospital construction site at the new medical city in Lake Nona.
Erick Paul is one of roughly 350 people state officials want to find for having a fake gun license.
Authorities said he was arrested on-site after he allegedly forged a license that allowed him to carry a gun.
Court papers say Paul came to work and was arrested near the guard shack before he could make it onto property.
He was employed through Ethic Protective Services to watch the veterans hospital construction site, but allegedly had forged documents claiming he took a class on how to handle guns.
Eileen Rieg owns Rieg's Gun Shop and Range in Orlando and said applicants for Class G licenses must take a 28-hour course, get signed documentation and even go through a mental health exam.
"It's not just a matter of somebody grabbing a certificate and filling out and taking it to the state," Rieg said.
Two weeks ago, state officials announced concern after they learned as many as 350 security guards have bogus licenses to carry guns.
Paul is the latest arrested.
Eyewitness News talked to the spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
"Some of them may not have ever even handled a firearm, yet they were at our jails and our courthouses and our ports hired as armed security guards to protect people," Erin Gillespie said.
Court papers show Paul forged an instructor's signature.
That instructor told state agents he never provided 28 hours of training.
Investigators came across the bogus license during a random check.
WFTV
