Defrocked Stratford Pastor Fired by His Church

Embattled Stratford Baptist church leader, the Rev. Dr. Robert Genevicz, has been fired by the church’s trustees following a vote on Sunday after he reportedly refused to step down, according to the Connecticut Post.

Genevicz, 67, recently had his ordination removed by the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut. Some church officials had previously supported Genevicz and had hoped that he remained their pastor, according to the Connecticut Post.

Genevicz was arrested in March on charges of first-degree larceny for allegedly scamming a 71-year-old church member out of more than $173,000.

Genevicz recently wrote a typewritten confession to Stratford police and blamed his acts on his 15-year relationship with a woman with an extensive criminal record.

Genevicz was later served with a lawsuit by Cathy Devack, of Trumbull, who claims Genevicz defrauded her 88-year-old father of about $200,000, according to the Post.