By Nick Stamatakis
Yesterday was the date of the gala, where the NJ Federation honored GOARCH lawyer George Tsougarakis (they also rightfully honored the Pangregorian Enterprises Foundation, an organization that has done a lot for the community). Lambros Karpodinis, who wrote an article explaining why Tsougarakis was unworthy of being honored (link here), was confronted by the venue owner, who threatened to call the Police!! The police arrived and told everyone that Lambros Karpodinis has every right to protest!!
Take a look at the photos and – below – read an article by Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson about the role Tsougarakis played in his “intervention” in a previous case, which began when Fr. Lemelson publicly demanded the removal of a priest, a known predator, Adam Metropoulos… Fr. Ted Barbas (chancellor of the Boston Metropolis) sought to protect the sexual predator/priest and Tsougarakis intervened for his support…
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Two Corrupt Actors, an Impending Federal Reckoning, and the Ultimate Irony
By Fr. Emmanuel Lemelson
Over at Helleniscope.com, Nick Stamatakis recently laid out a stinging critique of the mediocrity and personal corruption paralyzing key figures in the Greek-American community. If you want to know what that looks like in practice, look at the jaw-dropping story of my fight against a corporate state apparatus.
When you set out to protect the sick and the dying from pharmaceutical fraud, you expect a vicious fight from Wall Street. You do not expect a priest and an attorney inside your own community to secretly lock arms with federal prosecutors to finish a personal vendetta. But that is exactly what happened.
The reality is etched in black-and-white print: On October 12, 2016, The Boston Globe reported that I publicly demanded Fr. Ted Barbas’s removal due to his gross negligence in a Maine clergy sexual assault case. The truth is, Fr. Barbas didn’t just cover up the scandal, he created it by actively placing a known predator, Adam Metropoulos, into an unsuspecting Bangor parish with full access to children. Fr. Barbas waited for his moment to strike back.
In October 2019, after the SEC lost a critical battle in court, Barbas went to federal investigators and lied about me to revive their failing case. Then, in February 2020, lawyer George Tzougarakis (now at Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman & Bulbulia LLP) stepped in to shield Fr. Barbas, secretly meeting with federal regulators to concoct a massive lie aimed at throwing me in prison and disbarring my counsel, Doug Brooks.
But the truth always wins. Following my complete vindication in the courts, the tables have turned. The SEC is entering federal mediation to determine how much of my multi-million-dollar legal bills the government must now cover. And the ultimate punchline? Helleniscope reports that Tzougarakis is actually about to be honored by the Hellenic Federation of New Jersey. They are giving an award to the man who tried to weaponize the SEC to protect the orchestrator of an abuse scandal.
Tzougarakis is an empty suit with no real credentials. He is a mediocre hack who brings shame to the Greek people and insults the proud, unyielding spirit of Cretans everywhere. He deserves disbarment, and Fr. Barbas deserves total public exposure. (See the comments for links to the Boston Globe expose).
A Vital Lesson in Due Diligence: Let my case be a warning to anyone hiring legal representation. Never assume a title equals integrity. If an attorney is willing to manipulate the federal system to protect an associate’s dark secrets, they will certainly sell you out when it serves their corporate masters.
Congratulations to the above named authors. Tsoungarakis is a despicable human being. Attached to the hip of Elpi and Allen, he has chosen to enable the deviant priests and lay persons to continue assaulting our children. The three of them have put Karloutsos on the side and have neutered him. He was the all powerful controller of the GOAA and now, a weak incompetent person weeping and screaming at no one. Why? Because nobody care if he is alive or not. Specia Black Bartholomeos n Turkey. Not even he knows of his existence. He managed to milk Karloutsos for decades, and now, it over. No se for Karloutsos anymore.
A DETAILED DFESCRIPTION OF MY ENCOUNNTER WITH TSOUGARAKIS FOLLOWS, AS EMAILED TO HIM.
Hey George. First I want to thank you for calling me “beautiful” after you took my picture yesterday. I have you on video. I wish I could say the same thing about you, but I don’t critique men’s looks. But hey, to each his own.
Too bad you didn’t answer my question on the ethicspoint cases. You’re still supposed to be working at the archdiocese. Parishioners are still paying your very high salary. Why are you not doing your job? Too busy threatening fellow Greek Orthodox with lawsuits? . Just to make sure. I dont want you touching the cases. I want a committee to look into them, after I meet them all, examine the evidence, question me and then, come to a solution that adheres to scripture and secular law. They have to cite scripture that they based their decision, and secular law. Church institution is NOT your personal or the bishop’s fief. You don’t make up rules as you go.
More on yesterday’s protest. The owner of Greycliff manor, named Anthony Papamarkos came out where I was and with a very brusque manner ordered me to “go away”. He thought he was talking to his dishwasher. He said I was on his property. Which I wasn’t. I was on the sidewalk, Indication of the “better than though attitude” they possess. Of course, he is ignorant of the first amendment. He threatened that he would call the police. I told him to go right ahead. The police of course took my side, they explained to him and a younger guy with a beard, what my rights are. It felt good that he was embarrassed, as he should be and I feel proud that I taught him a lesson. That’s why I keep sending history lessons on Greece and America, in my effort to teach the majority of Greeks that are ignorant, because they were too busy making money, instead of building their character.
How did the ceremony progress yesterday? Did you refuse to accept the honor that you didnt deserve? Cretans are known for their pride, honor and philotimo. Your name tells me you’re a Cretan. Your actions tell me you have nothing Cretan about you. If you were in Crete in the revolution, you would have gone on the Turkish side and during the WWII, on the German side.
A committee has formed to nominate the year’s most anaxios Greek Orthodox. Rumor has it that your name is on top, even though you have many competitors. I’ll put in a good word for your nomination. I look forward to seeing you accept the “special” medal prepared for you.
Meanwhile, welcome us at our protest at the archdiocese on Thursday at 6 p.m. Have bottles of water for us, take down the list of our grievances and make sure you are not combative and threatening lawsuits. The church has to present a Christian attitude. We have every right, by God’s law and human law to demand a better archdiocese. After all, we are called “Stewards”. Look at the definition of that word. It means OVERSEER. In both scripture and legal sense. Genesis 39:4-9 It does not mean sheep. You are going to be OVERSEEN, as long as you work at the archdiocese, whether you like it or not.
I always suspected and have written about it on my Tsougarakis comments, that the only reason Elpidoforos hired him was for his “killer instinct”. As Fr Lemelson points out, Tsougarakis proved his worth by avenging Fr Lemelson for his advocacy on Barbas’ neglect of duty by installing a pedophile priest in Bangor Maine. No wonder Tsougarakis was hired right about that time. None of the clergy in the archdiocese care if Tsougaraki’s previous employment followed Christian principles. All they wanted was an enforcer, a counsillieri. As for tsougarakis’ knowledge of scripture, church tradition and sense of justice, that did not even come into consideration. If it did, then let’s see the list of candidates for the position and the scriptural knowledge they exhibited. That’s the “church” we finance. STOP paying stewardship people. Dont be sheep
He called you beautiful? Wow!!!!!!
Don’t tell me he finally coming out?!!!!
I’ll nominate a few as well. Soon
In Jeremiah 6:16, we read, “The Lord said to his people, ‘Stand at the place where the roads cross, and look carefully. Ask where the ways of your ancestors are. Find the good way, and go along that way. Then you will live in peace.’ But the people said, ‘No, we will not go that way. ’ And yes, we enjoy judging other people and how “Anaxios” they are, but if the Lord was to open up the books or our books most of us we will see how we will be forced to see how we do not even deserve God’s grace. Be kind my people!
Nikodimos. You’re confused. The issue is not who is better than others. We all have our faults and as far as personal choices, I will never judge anyone. And that’s not what the article is about.
However, when people that are positioning themselves as leaders and as representatives of Christ’s church, we have the DUTY and responsibility to judge their work. God gave us a brain and the ability to judge. NO ONE should have absolute power over others.
Look at John 3: 20-21
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
and:: “”Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” – Proverbs 31:9″”
Thinking such as yours is what has enabled child abuse, thefts and other great sins in churches, because they are told not to judge.
Hello again everyone.
Has anyone thought of challenging Tsoungarakis and demanding that he 1. Make public his beliefs and position on the LBGTQ movement? What’s your take on it Tsoungarakis? We demand a response on this forum.
2. What’s your take on Same sex marriages?
3. How would you respond to two individuals of the opposite sex being married knowing full well that they are both gay?
Kindly respond and show us how Cretan you really are. When
We believe in something we’re not afraid to voice out beliefs. So do it. Are you a Cretan with or without….them? We already know the answer, but we’re just pushing buttons.
Prove it to us.