Australia’s security industry is in crisis following the sudden resignation of one of its most prominent figures, leaving major retailers, government departments, law enforcement agencies and AFL clubs scrambling to review their arrangements with the scandal-plagued MA Services Group.
The firm’s owner, Micky Ahuja, stepped down as chief executive on Thursday morning, after this masthead uncovered allegations of him sexually harassing female employees, bullying and offering vulnerable women cash in exchange for sex.
MA Services Group founder Micky Ahuja has resigned as chief executive.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
A series of Snapchat messages revealed Ahuja had offered one woman multiple payments of $1000 for sex, with the offer made after he learned the woman was financially vulnerable having separated from one of MA’s senior managers, whom she had accused of domestic violence.
At least two female employees of MA accused Ahuja of egregious sexual harassment and others of bullying.
He has denied all allegations of mistreating women but in an email to staff early on Thursday, Ahuja announced his resignation as chief executive of the embattled company he founded almost 15 years ago and which has become the nation’s fastest-growing security provider.
“I have always acted with integrity, honesty and mostly empathy. I apologies (sic) for the situation at hand. It’s time for me to be a husband and father first,” Ahuja said in the message.
Several major clients had already put MA Services, which provides thousands of security guards and cleaners across Australia, on notice after this masthead’s reports of investigations into alleged multimillion-dollar tax-evasion, worker exploitation and links to an outlaw motorcycle gang.
The scandal enveloping MA Services raises concerns about the due diligence of blue-chip clients, including Coles, Dan Murphys and Amazon, federal government organisations like the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Department of Parliamentary Services, the Australian Grand Prix and several AFL clubs.
The Victorian government still promotes MA Services as an approved supplier, but some other large organisations have already acted.
This masthead has confirmed Crown Resorts recently banned Ahuja from its flagship Melbourne casino, where Ahuja was a high-roller gambler and staged his lavish wedding in 2023 with 450 guests.
The ban was issued after law enforcement agencies began probing transactions at Crown, identified in liquidators’ reports, involving companies which subcontract to MA Services and which are suspected to be involved in a vast security industry shadow economy involving tax rorting and underpayment of migrant workers.
Despite Ahuja’s repeated denials of all wrongdoing, the ongoing Tax Office investigations, Thursday’s allegations about his treatment of women and other controversies have many of MA Services’ clients considering cutting ties with the firm.
Geelong Grammar is poised to end its arrangement with the company as the prestigious school’s security provider, after launching a review on November 28.
Other companies – including global logistics giant Amazon, Coles and Bunnings – confirmed they had launched internal investigations.
“It is deeply concerning, and we’re actively gathering more information from the service provider following the latest development regarding the resignation of the CEO,” a Bunnings spokesman said.
A spokesman for another MA client, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, said it was “aware of the allegations against MA Services and monitoring the developments alongside other Commonwealth agencies”.
Some organisations, including the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the NDIS Commission, refused to comment, other than noting their contractual arrangements with MA Services.
The AFL and the Melbourne and Brisbane football clubs did not respond to requests for comment but the Demons – whose players are set to wear guernseys with the MA Services logo in 2026 – is weighing how to deal with the reputational impact of the scandal on the club.
MA Services Group’s James Reid speaks at the 2025 ASIAL awards night.
The scandal also puts the spotlight on the broader private security industry, with MA the fastest growing player over the past five years in a sector known for mistreating migrant workers and for links to organised crime.
A spokesman for ASIAL, the security industry peak body, did not respond directly to questions but said it was proceeding “in accordance with its internal complaints and dispute resolution process”.
“ASIAL takes compliance with the code of professional conduct very seriously and will take appropriate action if warranted,” the spokesman said.
Several security industry figures raised concerns about the peak body’s independence, and its ability to investigate serious misconduct allegations levelled against MA Services.
MA Services was the lead sponsor of ASIAL’s annual awards in October where then-chief operating officer James Reid, who has replaced Ahuja as interim chief executive, gave a speech.
“ASIAL are absolutely toothless. They’re happy to take money from MA for their awards night. And they’ll make the right noises, but won’t do a thing when it comes to regulating the industry,” said a security company owner.
The Australian Taxation Office and liquidators are investigating MA Services over allegations a network of subcontractors it uses to supply guards and payroll services are involved in tax evasion and exploitation of foreign workers.
The company will also be probed by a parliamentary inquiry, after this masthead revealed MA executives were embroiled in an opaque deal with the allegedly corrupt Nauruan government and subcontractor Safe Hands, which is controlled by the world president of the Finks bikie gang.
The Victorian government continues to promote MA Services as one of its approved suppliers, despite the United Workers Union raising serious probity concerns.
“UWU has repeatedly warned the Victorian government about risks in security procurement, including specific concerns relating to MA Services, and advised that the company should not remain approved to deliver public security contracts,” said UWU vice-president Gary Bullock.
He said the Allan government had failed to respond and that “weak procurement standards had allowed dodgy operators to win government work over reputable companies”.
“Recent public reporting has highlighted serious concerns about MA Services,” Bullock said.
Last week, a Victorian government spokesman did not respond to questions from this masthead about MA Services, or whether its arrangement with the security provider would be reviewed.
“We have zero tolerance for any sort of illegal behaviour – there is no place for it on any work site.
“Businesses must comply with their labour hire licence conditions, as well as with relevant laws and other licensing requirements,” the government spokesman said.
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