BOULDER - A lawsuit filed Thursday charges a Boulder assisted-living center with negligence for failing to realize that it hired a sex offender, who allegedly assaulted an elderly resident.

The suit filed on behalf of the victim, referred to as "Jane Doe," charges Frasier Meadows Manor, 350 Ponca Place, with negligence and with violating Colorado's Consumer Protection Act.

The lawsuit charges David Francis Frush, 57, of Boulder with battery. Frush, who worked in maintenance at Frasier Meadows until last year, is on the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's sex offender registry.

Frasier Meadows officials did not immediately return telephone calls seeking comment.

"Elder abuse is a huge problem in elder-care facilities," said Paul Maxon, attorney for the plaintiff. Nursing homes and other facilities that cater to the elderly and sickly "are very attractive situations for perpetrators of sex crimes," he said.

Running background checks on all employees is "a very simple and efficient way" to protect residents, he said.

Maxon said Frush has convictions for public exposure and for molesting a child.

scanlon@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-442-8729