Priest Charged With 7 Molestation Counts
The Los Angeles district attorney’s office filed felony charges Friday against a Catholic priest, alleging that he sexually molested a teen-age boy who worked as a receptionist at a Glendale church.
The Rev. Tilak Jayawardene, 47, was charged with six counts of oral copulation in connection with incidents that allegedly occurred between Oct. 23 and Nov. 5, district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.
Five of the incidents are alleged to have occurred in the priest’s bedroom at the Glendale Incarnation Church rectory, while the sixth allegedly took place at the 17-year-old’s home, she said.
Gibbons said Jayawardene, a native of Sri Lanka, may have fled to that country. She said authorities were investigating possible extradition proceedings to force his return.
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