Priest stole 200 donation checks, Pennsylvania officials say. ‘Betrayed parishioners’
A Pennsylvania priest has pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds of donation checks meant for the church and depositing them for personal use, officials said.
George Athanasiou, 37, pleaded guilty to theft charges related to his misappropriation of church donations, according to a Nov. 14 news release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry.
His attorney Patrick Thomassey told KDKA Athanasiou had a “gambling problem,” but said “every cent” would be paid back.
At the time of his Nov. 13 plea hearing, the former Canonsburg All Saints Greek Orthodox Church priest had paid $155,000 in restitution, Henry said.
McClatchy News reached out to the All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg for comment Nov. 15 but did not immediately hear back.
An investigation revealed Athanasiou knowingly endorsed and deposited more than 200 church donation checks via ATM for personal use between 2022 and 2023, Henry said.
He was arrested Nov. 29, 2023, and his bail was set at $250,000, court records show.
“This priest betrayed parishioners by stealing donations that otherwise would have benefited the church,” Henry said in the release.
“This plea to a felony charge holds the defendant accountable for his conduct, while also providing a significant restitution payment that will go to the church community.”
Athanasiou will be sentenced Feb. 18, 2025, court records show.
Canonsburg is about a 20-mile drive southwest from Pittsburgh.
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Priest stole 200 donation checks, Pennsylvania officials say. ‘Betrayed parishioners’."
