George Papadakos, Embezzlement, New York 2019

Grimy Times has learned that George Papadakos, the former Finance Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, has pleaded guilty to embezzling over $60,000 from the organization.

According to court documents, Papadakos, 52, of Westfield, New Jersey, embezzled the funds between 2012 and September 2017 by using a corporate credit card for personal expenses without authorization.

The personal expenditures included charges for home improvements, clothing, a gym membership, iTunes, and medical bills. During the period of Papadakos’s embezzlement, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese was facing financial difficulties.

Papadakos pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Papadakos has agreed to both forfeiture and restitution of $66,499.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated, “As Director of Finance of the Greek Orthodox Church, George Papadakos was supposed to serve his Church, not himself. As he admitted today, he embezzled from the Church for nearly six years. For this sin, he faces the possibility of time in a federal prison.”

Papadakos is scheduled to appear before Judge Richard M. Berman on June 24, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in part to set a schedule for his sentencing proceeding.

The investigation is ongoing, and U.S. Attorney Berman praised the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for its outstanding work on the case.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/respondent: George Papadakos, Exact Criminal Charges: Wire Fraud, City and State: New York, Exact Date: 2012-2017, Sentence or Outcome: Prison time of up to 20 years, Dollar Amount: $66,499.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-finance-director-greek-orthodox-archdiocese-america-pleads-guilty-embezzlement