A man working as a manager of a motel in Aurora was fired after his employers learned of a criminal past. The man's public record included misdemeanor sexual offenses much like Unlawful Sexual Contact (CRS 18-3-404), Indecent Exposure (CRS 18-7-302), or a misdemeanor charge of Sexual Assault (CRS 18-3-402). The owner of the hotel said the he did not run a background check of the man, and that background checks were common but not mandatory for other hotels in Denver, Jefferson, and Douglas County.

A local news crew looking to create drama for their benefit got wind of the man's past records and cost him his job. News reporters create stories to advance their career. Rarely do they retract stories or update them if a story is incorrect or someone is found not guilty. They do not care if they cost honest people their job or career.

From the skewed viewpoint of the news source that ran this story, it does not seem like this man broke any laws in Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, or Weld County. Concern was raised because, as the manager, the man had keys to all hotel rooms and oftentimes there were children and minors staying in the rooms because of a partnership with a local school.  It was his employer's responsibility to run a background check and at the discovery of anything that did not fit their standards; they should have refused initial employment. Instead of doing their job at the beginning, they caved to the pressure created by the publicity that the story fueled, and fired the man for his criminal history, regardless of any risk to residents.

Anytime there is a mark against your record, it is best to be up front with employers and truthful regarding any misdemeanor or felony convictions. Maybe this man should have spoken up regarding his past and let the owners make an informed decision as to whether or not they should hire him, but his records were listed publicly for anyone to see. It was not his fault that the owners did not run a background check.

A conviction of a misdemeanor or felony sex offense will haunt someone for years after the punishment is served. This man is out of a job and now must deal with the harm done to his reputation because of the publicity raised by the media. If police contact you regarding sex crime charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.