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Utah priest pleads no contest to patronizing a prostitute; court dismisses case

A Utah priest charged with patronizing a prostitute has pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor.

Andrzej Skrzypiec, 63, has not admitted guilt, but he resolved the case by agreeing to pay $680 and taking an HIV test. He was arrested for allegedly offering to pay an undercover officer for oral sex.

The case is now dismissed.

“He’s happy that this matter has come to a conclusion and he’s ready to move forward,” said defense attorney Clayton Simms.

The Salt Lake Catholic Diocese said Tuesday it hasn’t decided whether Skrzypiec will be able to resume his positions with Salt Lake City’s St. Ambrose Parish and J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School. He was initially put on administrative for three months “until this matter is resolved,” according to an earlier statement.

From the beginning, Skrzypiec denied the allegation. He told police he was in the area of 200 N. 900 West in Salt Lake City, where officers had set up a sting operation, to get food from a taco stand on Aug. 24.

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