No wonder the Greek church went broke.
The former finance director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese copped a guilty plea to embezzling $66,499 in church money for personal expenses including medical bills, iTunes purchases, home improvements, clothing and a gym membership, according to federal authorities.
George Papadakos, 52, of Westfield, New Jersey, is due in federal court in Manhattan this week to set a schedule for his sentencing. He pled guilty last week to one count of wire fraud which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
“Mr. Papadakos used his position at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to steal from the hand who employed him. …(his plea) is a reflection that Karma always comes from a higher authority and justice escapes no one,” said Philip Bartlett, the inspector-in-charge of the US Postal Inspection Service.
Church observers are speculating on whether Papadakos will flip on other Archdiocese officials.
“There is more unaccounted for money than this,” said Dean Popps, a lawyer who led a church reform movement. “More dominos need to fall for justice to prevail.”
A lawyer for Papadakos declined to comment.
Geoffrey Berman, the US Attorney for the Southern District, said in a statement that the investigation was ongoing.
The church has been beset with financial problems over the last few years. It ran out of money to finish its St. Nicholas Shrine project at the World Trade Center site, leaving a half-built eyesore.
Money designated for the project was used to shore up the Archdiocese’s operations.
Archbishop Demetrios, 91, who led the Greek Orthodox church in the US since 1999, retired last month. His replacement, Archbishop Elpidophoros from Turkey, was “enthroned” Saturday.
New York Post 22 Jun 2019
