Former Dubuque priest accused of sexual assault in Ohio

A former priest of Dubuque’s Greek Orthodox church faces a criminal charge for allegedly sexually assaulting a man in Ohio.

The Rev. James F. Callozzo, 72, of Pittsburgh, is charged with sexual imposition in Mahoning County Court, according to online court records. Records show Callozzo pleaded not guilty Tuesday and will have a pretrial court appearance July 28.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Callozzo allegedly followed an 18-year-old man into a bathroom May 15 in Boardman, Ohio, and grabbed the man inappropriately before being forced away. The newspaper also reports Callozzo was relieved of his duties as pastor of Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church pending the criminal case outcome.

A representative of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago confirmed in an email statement that Callozzo was assigned to St. Elias the Prophet Church in Dubuque in September 2004. He requested a canonical release in September 2008.

The statement said Callozzo was transferred to the Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States.

“We are unaware of any allegations during his time in Dubuque,” the statement said of Callozzo.