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	Former Bethany Pastor Faces Sexual Assault Charges By Hilda Muñoz Hartford Courant August 27, 2007 http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-bethanypastor-0827,0,1266224.story BETHANY - The former pastor of a congregational church in Bethany was arrested on sexual assault charges Sunday, state police said. Stephen J. Wasko, 54, faces two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He is free on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in New Haven on Sept. 7. Wasko is no longer pastor at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Bethany, according to a statement by the United Church of Christ in Connecticut. Wasko's ministerial credentials were suspended on July 2 and he is no longer authorized to do ministry in or on behalf of the United Church of Christ, the statement reads. "The whole United Church of Christ takes very seriously all allegations of sexual misconduct. We are especially concerned when they involve minors," the statement reads. The alleged abuse did not occur while Wasko acted in his official capacity, according to the statement. Wasko is suspected of sexual misconduct over a period of time in Bethany, state police said. The incidents were reported by the Department of Children and Families, state police said.
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