Cops: Sex offender lawfully employed at entertainment center

The owner of Kristof's Entertainment Center in Round Lake Beach says he's frustrated by a sudden campaign to call attention to a convicted sex offender who's held a maintenance job at his business for about 16 years.

Tom Kristof said a woman started calling attention to the employee last week.w Kristoff said he approached a woman Monday near Rollins and Cedar Lake roads while she held a sign protesting his business' employment of the man.

"This is resurfacing with no cause," he said.

Illinois Department of Corrections records show the man received a four-year prison sentence for criminal sexual assault in Lake County in 1989 and went on mandatory supervised release Nov. 21, 1990. His sentence was discharged Nov. 23, 1992.

Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Michael Scott said the man is not required to register as a sex offender "and is not in violation of any laws."

Kristof said the man has worked at his business without incident since about 2000. He always has been supervised and has no contact with children, Kritsof said.

The center includes bowling, a bar, video gambling, batting cages and an arcade. Guests must be 18 or older starting at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Kristof said his business has given many people chances to work since starting in 1974.

"After he got out of (prison), there was a need for him to have gainful employment," Kristof said. "Everybody, in my opinion, after some point in time, needs a break."