Doctor in sex abuse case gets bond back

ATLANTA - A Gainesville doctor accused of flying to Russia to have sex with boys had his bond reinstated this week, but was ordered to remain at a halfway house until his trial.

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Gregory Kapordelis had his bond revoked July 22 after the prosecution presented documents it said prove the doctor violated his bond conditions by contacting young witnesses in the Czech Republic after his arrest.

Four days later, on Monday, Dr. Kapordelis' bond was reinstated. In his order, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman said the bond revocation was based primarily on the documents, which summarize interviews conducted by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security attach in Vienna, Austria, with the Czech witnesses.

However, he said he reinstated bond because the translations of the interviews "appear somewhat less nefarious than the initial summaries from the American attach in Vienna."

The judge said he didn't doubt the attach's credibility or assertion that the boys were withholding details about their relationship with Dr. Kapordelis.

"The court is deeply suspicious of these witnesses' denials of sexual conduct with the defendant, particularly in light of the photographs found on one of the defendant's computers," Judge Baverman wrote.

As of Wednesday, Judge Baverman had not responded to a public record request filed by The Associated Press on July 19 to obtain the documents.

Because there was confusion over the original bond order's conditions, Judge Baverman stated Monday that Dr. Kapordelis is prohibited from calling or receiving calls from anyone except his mother, brother, sister, accountant or lawyer. He also can't use a cellular phone or computer or have direct or indirect contact with anyone younger than 18.

Dr. Kapordelis must stay in the Dismas House, which has locations in Atlanta and Macon, until his trial. No trial date has been set.

The doctor's attorney, Don Samuel, has filed several motions challenging the charges against his client. Mr. Samuel alleges that statements from some Russian juveniles were given under duress.

Mr. Samuel also challenges whether the U.S. court has jurisdiction over the case.

--From the Thursday, July 29, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle