Dillingham Parish Priest Charged with Attempted Sexual Assault

By Dave Bendinger
Bristol Bay Times
July 29, 2016

http://www.thebristolbaytimes.com/article/1630dillingham_parish_priest_charged_with

A Russian Orthodox priest has been suspended from his duties after allegations of domestic violence and attempted sexual assault.

Dillingham Police have charged Michael Nicolai with attempted sexual assault.

Nicolai is the priest at Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Dillingham's Russian Orthodox church. He has been suspended from his duties.

Police responded to the parish home behind the church early on July 16 after a woman reported that she had been assaulted, said Dillingham Police chief Dan Pasquariello. He was taken to jail that day, and released on bail on July 18.

"The officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance," he said. "They went there, they interviewed all parties involved, they made an arrest. The information they gathered, after conferring with the district attorney, led them to charge Father Nicholai with attempted sexual assault and a physical assault."

The investigation revealed that Father Michael had been drinking that night, and the victim said he had been viewing pornography, which led to arguments and eventually an assault. Officers found ripped clothing and undergarments which corroborated the victim's initial description of the nature of the assault.

Police reported both the defendant and the victim had bruises and other wounds.

The prosecutor reviewed the evidence late the following week and intends to seek indictment on the attempted sexual assault charge. A pre-indictment hearing is scheduled for July 27.

According to Pasquariello, Nicolai received no different treatment on account of his position in the community.

"The officers investigated this case the same as they would any other case, no more, no less," he said. "This incident was alcohol related. Alcohol clouds people's judgment. Everybody's human. Everybody makes mistakes."

Nicolai is originally from Kwethluk, and came to Dillingham several years ago after Father Victor Nick left the parish.

Bishop David Mahaffey issued a statement regarding the incident that said the "Orthodox Diocese of Alaska takes all allegations of sexual misconduct very seriously. We are monitoring the events closely and we are working with the authorities to bring about justice in this situation. Please pray for Fr. Michael, his family and the Faithful of St. Seraphim Church."

Dave Bendinger works for KDLG Radio. He can be reached at dave@kdlg.org.