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Found out something about my tenant

W_L

Entry posted by W_L

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I feel odd right now. I've been doing taxes for people left and right and offered to do my dad's elderly tenant taxes as well.

 

After some simple research in property history, I discovered something about this guy. He's a convicted catholic priest with several decade of child molestation charges against altar boys. I didn't know this before I did the research and now I wish I didn't dig too deeply.

 

I am left at a moral and ethical divide. I know he's a good man; he does volunteering for the elderly and food kitchen work. He is not the candy giving or scary priests that media has been throwing in my mind for years. He is a nice guy with the neighbors and I don't think anyone knows about his past. Part of me has also thought about my own past and I don't know what to think as I never really felt threatened, just cared for to a certain extent.

 

However, I am worried about what it means. My dad is still not entirely sold on my homosexuality, nor is the rest of my family tolerant of such activities I am also worried about the kids in the neighborhood and what it means to have him here.

 

On an ethical side, I am his tax accountant as well. I can't reveal direct detailed personal information like this to third parties. It would be a violation of my professional standards. I am bound by duty to keep what I know a secret, but I don't know if I should.

 

I don't know what to do.

6 Comments

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MikeL

Quite a quandary! Don't forget that adults have a responsibility for the welfare of children. If the former priest was found out and you hadn't told, that's not necessarily a black mark on your record. But, if a child is hurt, how would you feel?

 

Is there no sex offender registry where you live? Is there a reason he's not on it (e.g. his offenses predate the law)?

 

If you decide to turn him in, collect any professional fees he owes you first. :P

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TetRefine

This guy is the lowest form of scum on Earth. At the very least you should warn people in your area about this guy because once a pedophile, always a pedophile.

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arl215

"He is not the candy giving or scary priests that media has been throwing in my mind for years. He is a nice guy with the neighbors and I don't think anyone knows about his past. Part of me has also thought about my own past and I don't know what to think as I never really felt threatened, just cared for to a certain extent".

 

 

Your kidding right?? He's exactly that guy, he's good at what he does he suckered you in. (No offense meant) These pedophiles are the lowest scum of the earth and children are in danger especially if he acts like Mr. Nice guy, really think about this. Your responsibility now that you know is for the safety of innocents, not as a Tax Acct,not your Dad's opinions,just the TRUTH.

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W_L

He's already served his time in jail for what happened. He's a level 3 sex offender according to the registry.

 

I won't lie, if I had known about this earlier, we'd probably not rent to him.

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JamesSavik
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He's already served his time in jail for what happened. He's a level 3 sex offender according to the registry.

 

Ok. Legal requirements are met.

 

I THINK that Sex Offenders are supposed to tell renters their status (you might want to check on this). They are prohibited from living certain distances from schools and churches. If he's in violation of one of these prohibited zones, you can evict him immediately and he is probably in trouble with his parole officer.

 

If not, let him be. If he's a good tenant and pays the bills, let it be a matter of conduct. As long as he causes no trouble, just be alert. If he does screw up, the cops will take him away and you'll have a vacancy.

 

When he does leave, I suggest background checks on prospective tenants. They are cheap and can be done on the web using services that specialize in such screenings.

 

BTW- There is a 2002 study by the FBI that shows that sex offenders are no more likely to re-offend than any other category of criminal. Not all sex offenders or offenses are the same. It's a good idea to deal with the situation rationally than to get caught up in the sex offender hysteria.

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One Cheap Suit

Keep an eye on him, maybe let him know you've got some awareness of his past, and leave it at that.

 

Man's done his time.

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