WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Priest admits groping NY woman during counseling
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Associated Press - November 20, 2009 5:15 PM ET
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - A Catholic priest has admitted in court that he groped a woman during a marriage counseling session.
The Rev. Richard Ordonez (Or-DOHN'-yez) pleaded guilty Friday to forcible touching. He agreed to perform 500 hours of community service.
He had been accused of sex abuse, which carries a maximum prison term of 7 years.
The woman told police last year that the incident occurred in 2004. She said she came forward when she learned Ordonez, an Ecuadorean who had worked at St. Vito's Church in Mamaroneck, would be returning to the parish.
The 38-year-old Ordonez was arrested Dec. 8 at Kennedy International Airport as he was about to board a plane to Ecuador.
The New York Archdiocese withdrew Ordonez's working privileges after his arrest.
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