Priest Pleads Guilty to Theft of Church Donations

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HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was accused of misusing hundreds of church donation checks that he signed and deposited for personal use through ATM transactions.

Athanasiou, 37, was serving as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illegally signed, endorsed and deposited the checks. He appeared in Washington District Court on Wednesday and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

An investigation by the Attorney General’s Office revealed more than 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving church donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence shows Athanasiou authorizing and depositing these checks through the ATM. During police interrogation, the priest admitted that he had stolen and endorsed the checks without permission.

Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds intended for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Evan Lowry.