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Albany attorney John Artetakis, at the center of clergy sexual abuse
claims against the Roman Catholic Diocese, has been arrested for
allegedly stealing the briefcase of a process server working for the
diocese.
State
Supreme Court Judge Thomas J. Spargo had granted the diocese a
temporary restraining order against Aretakis on Sept. 6, , saying that
he was harassing parishioners and neighbors of Holy Cross Church and
School by his weekly protests at the church during Sunday Masses.
Diocese
attorney Michael Costello hired Robert Wells, a process server, to
serve the restraining order on Aretakis. When attempting to do so, the
attorney allegedly reached through the back window of Well’s car
and took his briefcase which Wells said contained confidential material
from other attorneys. According to North Greenbush Police Chief Rocco
Fragomeni, Aretakis held the briefcase for two days before returning
it.
Wells’
wife was a passenger in the car and called 911 when Aretakis and her
husband became embroiled in the argument. North Greenbush police
responded and took a report.
Following
an investigation, a warrant was obtained for Aretakis’ arrest. He
was called by police and turned himself in to the police station Friday
night about 6 p.m., arraigned about an hour later before North
Greenbush town justice Andrew Ceresia.
Aretakis
pleaded not guilty to petit larceny, a misdemeanor and second degree
harassment, a violation. He was released on his own recognizance.
The
restraining order keeps Aretakis and his associates, at least 100 feet
away from the church and the school. Spargo also ordered that Aretakis
is not to interfere with parishioners as they enter and exit the
church.
A
church spokesman says that Aretakis has been involved in at least three
confrontations with parishioners and neighbors at the church since June
when he and a group known as SNAP led by Mark Lyman, another claimant
against the church, began picketing Sunday Masses including leafleting
cars of parishioner Aretakis has publicly accused the Rev. Daniel
Maher, pastor of Holy Cross Church, of engaging in sexual abuse of a
minor over 30 years ago.
Maher
has been exonerated by the Diocese’s Sexual Misconduct Review
Board which found following investigation that there is “no
reasonable cause” to believe the allegations brought against
Maher by Aretakis and his client, Thomas G. Clements of Albany. Lyman,
also represented by Aretakis, has also filed a $2 million lawsuit
against the Diocese alleging that he was sexually abused by a priest.
Aretakis has brought numerous other sex abuse claims against priests in the Roman Catholic Diocese.
In
a written statement, the Diocese said that it sought the restraining
order against Aretakis to “protect children, parents and
parishioners from confrontations and intimidations. While we have the
utmost respect for the First Amendment rights of the picketers, the
children and parents and parishioners of Holy Cross have a fundamental
right to go to church and school without fear of intimidation or
confrontation”, the Rev. Kenneth Doyle said, chancellor for
public information of the Diocese.
Aretakis
and associates have placed leaflets and flyers on cars parked at the
church and school and in the neighborhood. They have videotaped parents
and students leaving the school since June.
Aretakis and others including members of SNAP have picketed Sunday Masses and publicly demanded Maher’s removal. 9-18-05
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