MERCEDES – The expensive Mercedes Christmas tree is being guarded. However, one of the security guards was forced to quit. He says he wasn't getting paid.

A week worth of pay is a lot of money for José Sosa and his family.

"Gifts, I mean, I have to spend money for my kids and there's no Christmas for me, unfortunately, because I didn't get paid," said Sosa.

He used to work for Valley Metro Security guarding the Mercedes Christmas tree. Sosa says he filed two police reports with the Mercedes Police Department.

Police told CHANNEL 5 NEWS the city did hire the company, but the payment is between the worker and the boss of Valley Metro Security.

Watch the video for the full story.