On January 31, 2023 in Framingham District Court, Petros “Peter” Sismanis was charged with one count of Indecent Assault of a Minor and 2 counts of Witness Intimidation. Through his attorney, Sismanis pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Sismanis is the owner of Hillers Pizza in Hopkinton.

The charges stem from an alleged incident that took place on January 12 with an underage female employee. Sismanis stood stoically as the DA for the Commonwealth read the allegations in open court.

“The defendant offered to take the victim downstairs to show her the inventory. She stated that the defendant sat in a chair, and that while he was sitting, he put his arms around her waist and placed his hand on the center of her back. She stated that he then stood up and began to hug her, and kiss her on the mouth while holding his hand on the center of her back. She tried to pull away and the defendant continued kissing her.”

“After that finished, he pleaded with her not to say anything because she was ‘too young’. Both parties proceeded upstairs and the victim first called her mother to tell her what happened. The mother was at the scene around 9:00 and spoke to both the victim and defendant. The defendant then attempted to keep both the victim and her mother from leaving the business. The defendant also made statements that he ‘would rather be killed than to call the police’.”

“The victim’s mother then attempted to get in her vehicle, and the defendant blocked the door to keep it from closing. The victim’s mother stated that this went on for about 15 minutes before she was finally able to close the door and leave the area.”

Prior to this hearing, the judge heard arguments regarding an Anti-Harassment Order that the victim’s mother had filed against Sismanis. The victim’s mother appeared in court with the order and a sworn statement in hand. After confirming a few facts, the judge ordered Sismanis to stay 100 yards away from the victim’s school and residence. The order remains in effect until January 2024.

Citing a similar offense from 1997, the DA stated that the Commonwealth has “serious concerns for the community”, and asked the judge to set bail at $2,500 and to order no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. Through his attorney, Sismanis objected to this request, asking the judge if this could be modified to “no unsupervised contact with females under 18”. “My client owns a pizza shop and has 17 year old males working there,” said his attorney.

“I don’t know anything about your client and his proclivities, so I’m not inclined to make that change,” said the judge. Addressing Sismanis, she said “You’re going to have to figure it out.”

The judge released Sismanis with the condition that he does not contact the victim, he must stay 100 yards away from her, her residence, and school and well as no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18. She issued a stern warning to Sismanis that if he violated any of these terms he could, and most likely would given the nature of the charges, be held in jail without the possibility of bail.

1997 Conviction

In September 1997, Sismanis was charged with two counts of Rape and 3 counts of Indecent Assault & Battery on a person 14 or over. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on $6,000 bail. As a condition of his release, Sismanis was ordered to surrender his passport (he was not at that time a US citizen), have no contact with the victim, and to not travel outside of Massachusetts.

Through a public records request, the editor was able to obtain the docket of this case, but the court records were destroyed in 2005.

The trial was continued several times, and in July 1998 Sismanis petitioned the court to temporarily leave the country. The request was denied. 

On September 14, 1998, Sismanis changed his plea to guilty on two counts of Indecent Assault & Battery on a person 14 or over. He was ordered to pay $100 and was placed on probation for 4 years, the first 6 months with electronic ankle bracelet. He was allowed to only go to work, church, or medical appointments. Sismanis was ordered to pay up to $1,000 for the victim’s counseling, and to be evaluated for a sexual offenders program. 

On September 23, 2002, Sismanis’ probation was ordered terminated, and in May 2005 Judge Peter Lauriat ordered the records destroyed.

In 2019, Sismanis petitioned the court to vacate his plea and guilty finding, requesting post-conviction relief. In his affidavit, Sismanis claimed that the Superior Court failed to advise him of immigration warnings as the law requires. The plea was denied by judge Kenneth Fishman, stating the court had met its burden of proof that the defendant had been advised of his rights.

In the current matter, a pre-trial hearing date was set for March 22, 2023 at 9:00 in Framingham District Court.