Hands Case to Co-Counsel to Enable Process to Continue Without Further Interruption
Mt. Pleasant, SC – Newly appointed Provincial Prosecutor, The Venerable Job Serebrov, resigned on July 31, asking that a newly appointed co-counsel be selected to take over in the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III and ensure the case can proceed without undue delay.
Shortly after the Archdeacon was appointed, concerns were raised about a potential conflict of interest between Archdeacon Serebrov and Bishop Ruch. These concerns were based on the fact that in May of 2021 Archdeacon Serebrov completed an online learning certificate program sponsored by St. Paul’s House of Formation. St. Paul’s is led by The Rev. Stephen Gauthier, who also serves as Canon Theologian for the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, where Ruch serves as bishop.
The Provincial Chancellor, William Nelson, reviewed these claims and concluded that the Archdeacon’s prior activities did not present a professional conflict of interest and would not impair the integrity of the proceedings.
Nevertheless, in his resignation letter to Archbishop Wood, Serebrov wrote:
“Unfortunately, concern has been voiced about a perceived connection between Bishop Ruch and me. To be clear on the record, I have never met nor spoken with him, and I have not spoken with Father Gauthier or others I studied with at St. Paul’s for several years. However, because of the importance of this trial, and after carefully praying about what is best to preserve the integrity of the Province, I ask that you permit me to withdraw as Provincial Prosecutor so as to remove even the appearance of impropriety (1 Thessalonians 5:22).”
Previously, as a condition of his service, Archdeacon Serebrov had requested additional legal support to handle the high volume of material necessary to be reviewed in advance of the August 11 court hearing. The Province identified Co-Counsel, Mr. Thomas Crapps, a partner at Meenan P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida, to serve in this capacity. In light of Archdeacon Serebrov’s resignation, Mr. Crapps will step in as Provincial Prosecutor immediately. He will be joined by Co-Counsel Frank Shaw III, a founding partner at Smith Thompson Shaw Colón & Power, P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida.
“Archdeacon Serebrov has demonstrated a remarkable degree of humility, professionalism, and spiritual maturity to graciously consider how even just the semblance of a conflict might harm the integrity of the province’s case,” Archbishop Wood said. “I honor his courage to heed his own conscience in this matter to do what he deems is best for the Church.”
Mr. Crapps, a parishioner at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tallahassee, Florida, within the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, specializes in administrative law, civil litigation, and appellate law. He previously served as a Florida Administrative Law Judge from 2010 to 2015 and brings decades of expertise navigating state agencies and courts and assisting in other ecclesiastical trials. Mr. Shaw brings more than 38 years of experience in real property law, commercial litigation, and construction law.
“Bringing justice to victims is my sole interest in this case,” Mr. Crapps said of his appointment. “I want to be crystal clear: if they have been sidelined in any proceedings to date, I am committed to faithfully representing their interests going forward.”
The Court will reconvene on August 11.
A CV for Mr. Thomas Crapps is available here.
A Bio for Mr. Shaw is available here.