Assemblywoman Sandra Juaregui has asked Nevada's legislative auditor to launch a formal review of the agency that regulates security guards and private investigators, citing reports that the Private Investigators Licensing Board may have issued licenses and firearm permissions in violation of state law.
Allegations prompt oversight request
In a news release, Juaregui, a Democrat and candidate for lieutenant governor, said the board may have "obstructed legislative oversight, misrepresented material facts to the Legislative Commission, and operated outside the authority granted to it by the Legislature." The audit request follows disclosures that the board has allowed armed guards to carry shotguns and rifles — a practice lawmakers were told last month has no express authorization under Nevada law.
Juaregui's action addresses two intertwined issues: whether applicants with disqualifying criminal records obtained private investigator or security licenses improperly, and whether the board has exceeded its statutory authority by permitting certain firearms for armed guards.
Concerns from instructors and legal advisers
Certified firearms instructor Andrew Cowie told the Nevada Current he approached Vincent Saladino, the PILB's executive director, in April and asked the board to "stop issuing firearm permits to prohibited persons, including convicted felons and individuals with domestic violence convictions."
"stop issuing firearm permits to prohibited persons, including convicted felons and individuals with domestic violence convictions."
The Current also reported that at the PILB's quarterly meetings the board has granted licenses to applicants with felony records on the basis of the "time and distance" since their offense, provided the applicants self-disclose their criminal history. Applicants who fail to disclose past convictions are reportedly denied.
In June, the Current asked Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Itkin-Goodman, who advises the PILB, to identify any statutory provision authorizing the board to license felons based on elapsed time since a conviction; that request was part of the mounting scrutiny described by Juaregui.
What the audit would examine
Juaregui's request asks the legislative auditor to investigate whether the PILB:
- Has followed state law in licensing private investigators and armed security personnel;
- Allowed applicants with disqualifying violent criminal histories to obtain licenses or firearm permissions;
- Provided accurate information to the Legislative Commission and operated within its statutory authority.
If approved, an audit would review the board's licensing decisions, processes for vetting criminal histories, and the legal basis for any firearm permissions granted to licensees. The review could also examine communications between board staff and the Legislative Commission regarding the board's practices.
Implications for public safety and oversight
The allegations raise questions about how Nevada balances regulatory discretion with statutory limits intended to keep firearms and investigative authority out of the hands of people barred by criminal convictions. Nevada law currently prohibits convicted felons from being licensed as security guards and from possessing firearms; the audit request seeks to clarify whether board practices conflict with those prohibitions.
| Key actors | Role |
|---|---|
| Sandra Juaregui | Assemblywoman requesting audit |
| Private Investigators Licensing Board (PILB) | State board that issues PI and security licenses |
| Vincent Saladino | PILB executive director |
| Andrew Cowie | Certified firearms instructor who raised concerns in April |
| Stephanie Itkin-Goodman | Deputy Attorney General who advises the PILB |
The legislative auditor's office will determine whether to accept the request and the scope of any subsequent review. Any findings or recommendations that emerge from an audit could lead to legislative action, administrative changes at the PILB, or legal revisions to clarify how Nevada regulates armed security personnel and private investigators.
News Block will follow developments as the legislative auditor responds to Juaregui's request and if the Legislative Commission takes steps to authorize a formal review.
