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	Ex-Bethany Pastor Charged in Sex Case By Phil Helsel New Haven Register August 28, 2007 http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18755168&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=590581&rfi=6 Bethany — A former pastor of the First United Church of Christ, Congregational, has been arrested for allegedly sexually touching a minor over the summer, state police and church officials said. Stephen J. Wasko, 54, of Milford was arrested on charges that he abused a child on at least two occasions. Wasko was pastor for the Church of Christ on Amity Road from 2003 until July 2, when he resigned amid the allegations. State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance on Monday wouldn't reveal the child's age or details about the case, but said that police became involved after they were notified by the state Department of Children and Families of the suspected abuse. Troopers began an investigation in June, and the child "was able to provide information" about what happened, he said. Wasko was arrested on two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, charges that suggest the child was younger than 16 years old and that the alleged act involved improper touching of a sexual nature. Wasko is free on $100,000 bail and due to be arraigned Sept. 7 at Superior Court in New Haven. The First Church of Christ, Congregational, has 222 members and traces its roots back to the church brought to America by Pilgrims on the Mayflower. It is now part of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, the state's largest Protestant denomination. The church issued a statement Monday saying, "We hold those who have stated that they have been harmed, as well as Mr. Wasko, his family, and the Bethany church, in our prayers." The church said it has no information any of the alleged acts took place within Wasko's church duties. Wasko is a "second-career clergyperson," and he left a job as an accountant to become ordained as a minister, said Ron Brown, associate conference minister for clergy concerns. Wasko attended the New York Theological Seminary and was ordained in 2002; his appointment to the Bethany church was his first assignment, Brown said. The UCC found out about the allegations from Wasko himself. Brown said that Wasko, who is married, wrote a letter to a church "moderator" announcing his resignation July 2, and the UCC's Committee on the Ministry immediately suspended him. He is no longer authorized to minister in or on behalf of the United Church of Christ, the statement said. Fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor are felonies. If convicted of all charges, Wasko faces up to 30 years in prison. A court clerk said that so far no attorney has entered an appearance for Wasko. State police listed Wasko's address as 66 E. Broadway in Milford. However, that address is part of the Beach Shore Village condominium complex near Naugatuck Avenue, and the real estate company in charge of the complex said it has no record of Wasko ever living there. Phil Helsel can be reached at 876-3028 or phelsel@nhregister.com.
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