NORTH GREENBUSH (NY)
North County Times
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.