PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
Kathy Mellott kmellott@tribdem.com
— The number of people who say they were sexually molested by a priest in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is growing, and indications as of late last week are that the investigation and any criminal prosecution of the Rev. George Koharchik may be handled by the office of the state attorney general.
As of Friday, four men had stepped forward to say they were molested by Koharchik, some as long ago as three decades ago, when they were young boys.
On Aug. 24, the diocese announced that Koharchik, 63, a Windber native who was raised in Johnstown, had been placed on leave from active ministry in the priesthood by church leader Bishop Mark Bartchak.
Information regarding the allegations, minus the names of the victims, was turned over to the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office for investigation last month.
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