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

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

The Attorney General’s investigation revealed more than 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence showed that Athanasiou endorsed and deposited these checks through the ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to embezzling and endorsing checks without permission.

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