GARDINER (ME)
Kennebec Journal
By Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
GARDINER — A longtime minister of Christ Episcopal Church has been placed on a two-year suspension following a months-long church investigation that found he engaged in sexual misconduct consisting of “inappropriate language and interpersonal boundary violations.”
Church members were told at Sunday’s service that the Rev. Jacob Fles had been suspended. Fles has conducted services at the city’s landmark church, at the corner of Gardiner Common on Dresden Avenue, for 17 years.
A joint statement issued by both Bishop Stephen Lane and Fles said that the church’s inquiry did not uncover any evidence of criminal behavior.
“The past four months have been difficult for all parties: the complainants, the people of Christ Church, Father Fles and his family, and all involved in the investigation,” the statement said.
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