Glenview priest charged with felony theft of more than $110,000

By Alexandra Chachkevitch
Chicago Tribune
July 9, 2014

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/glenview/chi-glenview-priest-charged-with-felony-theft-20140709,0,3259834.story

The Rev. James Dokos is accused of writing checks for tens of thousands of dollars to benefit himself, friends and family and to pay his personal credit card bills from the trust that he controlled, but that was set up primarily to benefit a Milwaukee church, according to a criminal complaint prepared by the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office.

A Greek Orthodox priest in Glenview accused of improperly spending more than $110,000 from a church trust fund on personal expenses has been charged with felony theft.

The Rev. James Dokos allegedly wrote checks for tens of thousands of dollars to benefit himself, friends and family and to pay his personal credit card bills from the trust that he controlled, but that was set up primarily to benefit a Milwaukee church, according to a criminal complaint prepared by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office.

The Tribune wrote about the allegations in the complaint last month. The charges became official today, according to the Milwaukee County court website. 

Dokos, 62, was a longtime pastor at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee before he was transferred to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Glenview in 2012. 

In June, church authorities placed Dokos on unpaid administrative leave and suspended him from his duties as parish priest at Saints Peter and Paul Church, amid allegations.

The priest is being charged with Class G felony theft for allegedly misappropriating an amount exceeding $10,000. If found guilty, Dokos could end up paying up to $25,000 in fines or serving in prison for up to 10 years, according to the complaint.

Dokos is scheduled for an initial appearance in court on Thursday, said David Feiss, assistant district attorney for Milwaukee County.