Priest pleads guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from North Strabane church

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A priest in Washington County has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from the church where he worked. contribute to the development of gambling addiction.

Pennsylvania Attorney General George Athanasiou says pleaded guilty earlier this week to theft charges filed last year after it was discovered that more than $117,000 had been stolen from the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church bank account.

“Theft of money is theft, plain and simple, whether it is committed by a petty criminal or a faithful religious leader, which was the case in this case — this priest betrayed parishioners by stealing donations that would otherwise have benefited the church,” the attorney general said. Henry . “This plea of ​​felony charges holds the defendant accountable for his conduct and provides significant compensation to the church community.”

Athanasiou was suspended from performing his duties as a priest without pay pending an investigation.

The attorney general’s office says George Athanasiou has returned $155,000 in restitution.

Athanasiou will be sentenced early next year.