# The handyman is a convicted sex offender. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 29, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724 "2012-07-29T02:27:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crime\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Crime\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crime_Scene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/1 "2012-07-29T02:27:31Z")
My wife looked him up on our local crime database after I had hired him. He is no more than 25 yards from me right now doing work on one of our rental houses. I would not feel so strange or upset if it was statutory rape or something along those lines, but is for something way worse. In the description of his crime it states that he forcibly raped a 6 year old. I figured this is a pit thread because it is upsetting, but what should my course of action be? Do I need to tell the neighbors up the road who have young children that I am now employing a rapist? I am having a very hard time dealing with him or even looking at him because this is an issue that for historical reasons hits very close to home for me. Good Og, this is frustrating. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/2 "2012-07-29T02:30:49Z")
Hide yo’ kids, Hide yo’ wife… ---
**Author:** ![Clementine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8dc957/32.png) [@Clementine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clementine)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/3 "2012-07-29T02:43:38Z")
Let him finish his day’s work. Pay him in full, maybe a little bonus, and tell him you cannot employ him anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/4 "2012-07-29T02:46:16Z")
> [@Clementine](#): > > Let him finish his day’s work. Pay him in full, maybe a little bonus, and tell him you cannot employ him anymore. This. Then make sure none of your friends or neighbors hire him. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/5 "2012-07-29T03:02:15Z")
Just curious . . . why did you look him up only _after_ you hired him? Did he do something to make you suspicious? ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/6 "2012-07-29T03:04:31Z")
Tell him they’re hiring at Penn State. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/7 "2012-07-29T03:05:27Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Hide yo’ kids, Hide yo’ wife… If the OP installed a webcam, they could be tapin’ everybody out there. But yeah, I guess I’d echo what everyone else said. ---
**Author:** ![Crime\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Crime\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crime_Scene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/8 "2012-07-29T03:37:40Z")
My wife is naturally suspicious of everyone, so she, out of curiosity, looked him up. I am too trusting of a person and do not have kids so it wasn’t an issue I even thought of. The reason she looked him up though is because the girl he is with, who is 22, made the statement that she was on probation for non-child support. He said, “Well, at least you aren’t on parole.” He is 39 by the way. I told my wife this so she instantly looked him up, lo and behold, there his picture was on the website. Man…this…I don’t even know. I appreciate the helpful advice. I guess I am going to pay him after he is done this evening and let him go. Is there some kind of law against me terminating him for being a sexual predator? Do I just tell him, “Sorry, don’t need your help anymore.” Or what? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/9 "2012-07-29T03:52:02Z")
Sexual predators are not a protected class, as far as I know. But maybe he has repented and mended his ways. If he’s doing a good job, just keep a close eye on him and let him keep going, I say. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/10 "2012-07-29T03:53:59Z")
Never give anybody more ammunition than necessary. Fire him, make up whatever innocuous fiction you require, and then quietly inform absolutely everybody around you with children. While you’re at it, many states have a requirement that sex offenders have to notify police of their current job or face felony charges. If this predator didn’t inform the cops, well… maybe he needs to be back off the street. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/11 "2012-07-29T04:22:50Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Sexual predators are not a protected class, as far as I know. Would there even be protected classes for this kind of thing? I’d think that **Crime Scene** would be the handyman’s client, not his employer. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/12 "2012-07-29T04:37:49Z")
One way to look at it. Are you in fear of your personal safety or that of the wife? Any kids close by? If not then perhaps everyday you keep him there working is another day he isn’t left without anything to do and no money to be made increasing his chances of going to a life of crime and and/or being tempted to rape a kid again. Now, I wouldn’t send him to somebody that did have a kid and I might not recommend him to anyone after he is done. And I’d certainly keep an eye on him too. But big picture wise, perhaps the best thing you could do “might” be to keep him working there. A guy like that is very unlikely IMO to victimize the very people he is working for because he would be the cops first suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/13 "2012-07-29T05:33:37Z")
First, the guy is hanging with a non-custodial parent (maybe she doesn’t have her kids because she’s dating him?) who is also not abiding by the law AND they’re comfortable joking about all of this in front of you (I’d be mortified to be in either situation). So, I don’t think they view themselves as people who’ve done bad things. Just people who got caught. Second, you said you have neighbors with kids. What will you do if THEY look him up and see that you’re employing him right down the street. IF I were the neighbor WITH CHILDREN, I’d send you a serious nasty gram over the situation and then call the local police to ensure that the sex offender isn’t in violation of any laws. I’d be a jerk and try to bring down a load of crap on you for having him there. There is a reason that sex offenders get to register their where-abouts, it’s because they have a tendency to repeat (and some say they can’t be cured). If my child hiccups wrong over the next six months, you know I’m going to HAVE to wonder if your worker had anything to do with it. I personally would tell him that I’m taking a break in the project and let him go. I wouldn’t tell him why (why invite retaliation?) As his employer, you will be responsible for anything that he does in that neighborhood while he’s an employee. (e.g. can he scope out the neighbor’s routines so that he can take advantage for a break in?) NOW, if there were a bonded professional working on my property who was employing this guy, I would feel entirely different because that business owner would be responsible for watching what the guy was up to and liable for what ever the guy did or didn’t do. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/14 "2012-07-29T05:39:05Z")
He’ll know why. ---
**Author:** ![Crime\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Crime\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crime_Scene)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/15 "2012-07-29T07:16:21Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > He’ll know why. I suspect he will. I work during the day so I am having do the work I need done in the evenings so I can be home; I did this before I had any idea of his past for my own security. I should also add I found him on craigslist, so I really feel stupid. He is still currently laying linoleum (as of 2:15 am CST) so I have not approached him yet. I’ll keep you guys updated. So far, I appreciate the responses. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/16 "2012-07-29T08:10:36Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > This. > > Then make sure none of your friends or neighbors hire him. **WHY?** No matter how nasty the crime was, a convict who has done his time has as much right as anybody else to make a living. Or to live next door to you – some people even object to **that!** :mad: ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/17 "2012-07-29T08:28:07Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > **WHY?** No matter how nasty the crime was, a convict who has done his time has as much right as anybody else to make a living. Or to live next door to you – some people even object to **that!** :mad: I agree. If you don’t feel comfortable with him, don’t hire him again. But don’t actively thwart his making a living. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/18 "2012-07-29T08:43:44Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Second, you said you have neighbors with kids. What will you do if THEY look him up and see that you’re employing him right down the street. IF I were the neighbor WITH CHILDREN, I’d send you a serious nasty gram over the situation and then call the local police to ensure that the sex offender isn’t in violation of any laws. I’d be a jerk and try to bring down a load of crap on you for having him there. There is a reason that sex offenders get to register their where-abouts, it’s because they have a tendency to repeat (and some say they can’t be cured). If my child hiccups wrong over the next six months, you know I’m going to HAVE to wonder if your worker had anything to do with it. You sound borderline paranoid and delusional. > [@Enkel](#): > > As his employer, you will be responsible for anything that he does in that neighborhood while he’s an employee. Please link to the relevant law supporting your assertion. OP, you need to do what makes you feel comfortable in this situation, and if letting him go will accomplish that, then it’s what you should do. I might do the same thing, although i wouldn’t then also go out of my way to make sure he couldn’t get another job, and i wouldn’t call the authorities unless i had actual evidence that he was breaking the law. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/19 "2012-07-29T09:04:43Z")
You guys ever seen the Woodsman? If child rape prohibits one from working ever again, there’s no point having a limit on imprisonment. Personally I wouldn’t be too bothered if paedophiles were separated from the rest of society, even if they’d never committed a crime (there are objective tests which can demonstrate erotic response to children). Reduces the chance they will commit a crime in future. However, that’s not really an option at the moment, so they need to interact on at least some level with the rest of society. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724/20 "2012-07-29T12:13:27Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Sexual predators are not a protected class, as far as I know. But maybe he has repented and mended his ways. If he’s doing a good job, just keep a close eye on him and let him keep going, I say. However, there may be restrictions on how you share the information from the sex offenders list. For instance, I think it’s illegal to post flyers. Check what you’re prohibited from doing in your effort to notify your neighbors. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-handyman-is-a-convicted-sex-offender/629724.md?page=2)