Former Cleric Faces New Probation Charge

A former Greek Orthodox Priest faces new charges stemming from his conviction for fondling a teenage female parishioner in Burlington in 1998.

The then Reverend Emmanuel Koveos, 70, served six months in prison in 1998 for fondling a 13-year-old girl in his Burlington church.

After his prison release he was placed on probation for the remaining six years of the suspended sentence and permitted to move to Massachusetts under supervision of probation officials in that state.

His Vermont probation conditions require that Koveos accept responsibility for his crime to successfully complete mandatory sex offender counseling.

However, Koveos remains in denial and refuses to accept responsibility for the crime, according to documents filed by his probation officer.

Koveos has been cited to appear in Vermont District Court in Burlington next month to face probation violation charges. If convicted, he could sentenced to the remaining four and half
years behind bars, with credit for good behavior.

** When this story first aired we reported that Koveos had not been defrocked following his conviction. Greek Orthodox officials in Boston tell us that Koveos was defrocked and is no
longer a priest. We apologize for the error.