Corey Hipscher - Repeat Sex Offender - Molests child in Broward County Park

A contractor assured Broward County parks administrators Friday that no one else who works at the concessions it runs has a history of sex crimes after the arrest this week of one worker who was a registered sex offender.

Toby's Concession Services turned over partial background checks of 61 employees who work for it and its subcontractors. The company checked whether any of its remaining staff is a sexual predator or sex offender and pledged to submit reports Monday on whether anyone had been convicted of a felony or driving under the influence.

Sheriff's investigators arrested Corey Hipscher, 37, of Plantation on Tuesday after he was accused of fondling a 10-year-old Boca Raton girl while working at the marina in Quiet Waters Park. Hipscher was hired four months ago by a subcontractor of Toby's Concession even though he had been convicted in 2003 in a sexual battery case.

"I'll be completely satisfied next week when I get the rest of the information," County Parks Director Bob Harbin said. "I want to see it all."

Harbin met Friday with the owner of Toby's Concession, Cristobal De la Hoz, and described him as apologetic over what happened. De la Hoz has said when he subcontracted with Hipscher's employer, Broward Watersports, he thought the company had assumed the responsibility of conducting background checks.

Toby's Concession provides food, boat and bicycle concessions throughout the park system. It must hire people of "good moral character" and run background checks of "prospective employees and volunteers," according to the terms of its deal with the county.

Harbin has said he expects contractors to follow the same rules his office does and not hire people for jobs dealing with children if they're a sexual predator or a sex offender or have been convicted of a felony or driving under the influence.

As a result of Hipscher's arrest, parks administrators are notifying all contractors that they will have to provide regular reports that they've checked the background of employees.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte