Copyright by WHTM - All rights reserved Ira Task

Copyright by WHTM - All rights reserved Ira Task

CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) - An HIV-positive Harrisburg man jailed on charges he raped a 6-year-old boy has been suspended from his job at Hershey Lodge pending the investigation.

In a statement Thursday, a Hershey Entertainment and Resorts spokeswoman said Ira Task had two separate criminal background checks since his employment began in July 2008 and both came back clear. Task's most recent background check was in July.

Task, 61, was arrested Thursday after police said he raped the child in his Harrisburg home while another man videotaped the incident. He was employed by Hershey Lodge as a manager of catering events.

Hershey Entertainment and Resorts spokeswoman Kathleen McGraw said all salaried employees to go through a criminal background check every three years. The background checks include criminal history scans at county and national levels.

McGraw said annual performance appraisals gave no indication of any criminal or inappropriate behavior while Task was on Hershey Lodge property.

Delilah Rumburg, CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, said Task managed catering at the Vision of Hope Gala, an annual fund raiser at Hershey Lodge that raises funds for child sexual abuse prevention.

Police said Task admitted to raping the child and told investigators he has been HIV-positive since 1994. He also admitted to giving the boy amyl nitrite, an inhaled drug used to create a euphoric "high" and intensify a sexual experience.

Task is in Cumberland County Prison on $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled November 2.