Things seem to be heating up on the Milwaukee front. Concerned GOA parishioners from the Metropolis of Chicago have been informing Yours Truly that indictments may be handed down soon. As you may remember, we broke a story a few months ago involving Fr James Dokos, a priest of that diocese who had issued several checks from a trust fund in which he was the only trustee. The checks were sent to three North American bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to the tune of almost $10,000 each.
Now the local media has gotten involved. Attached is a video from one of the local news stations. Monomakhos hopes that this will soon die down, after all, these types of things tend to be very complicated and the closer one looks at them, the murkier they become. Not necessarily criminal so to speak but definitely not desirable. For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why a priest needs to shunt McKinleys to bishops who are already more than well-paid. Word on the street of course is that Dokos has been buying influence for years; that would certainly explain why he could replace a popular priest like Fr Angelo Artemas with no questions asked. At any rate, it just doesn’t pass the smell test.
Perhaps something good can come out of this, things like more patent and transparent financing. Why, for instance was Metropolitan Nikita Lulias the recipient of Dokos’ generosity? Is it because he’s in the running to replace the current metropolitan when he steps down? This would explain why Dokos felt it necessary to grease Lulias’ palm as well as Kantsavellos’. And how did he decamp so quickly from Hong Kong in the first place? Is it too much to ask that at least we see the end of the baksheesh culture that has been endemic in Byzantine church politics for the better part of a millennium? Unless questions such as this are answered, the GOA can’t expect people to be more generous with their money.
View news report here.
George informs all of the readership in this editorial item that “Monomakhos hopes that this will soon die down…”
Some of the readership hereby informs George of its bemusement as to how this editorial is expected to further his supposed (and most disingenuously stated?) “hopes!”
You do NOT want to know why Metropolitan Nikitas fled Hong Kong or the truth behind Bishop Dimitri. Just move on…Pay, pray and obey. ! The GOA is not that different from the OCA in terms of compromised clergy.
Care to share the “truth” you know about the two hierarchs? Or do you merely enjoy spreading rumor and gossip?
[One of these bishops] is heterosexually challenged, with some bad behavior accompanying in SE Asia. That is why he is not a diocesan bishop in the US. As for Bp.Dem, I have no idea what he is talking about.
Same issue for both of them…
I am not disagreeing with you StephenD, but leaving people “out of the know” with only their fantasies, is not very helpful. If you have something to say, say it.
The Metropolitan and the Auxiliary Bishop share the same challenge,,,,The Auxiliary almost didn’t get ordained but Met. Iakovos pushed it through.
“Stephen D!” Is that the same Nikitas that once shared an apartment with ever-memorable Fr. George Gladky in the old days? And I think “Alexander from PA” may be on to something. I think George M. as an Oklahoman probably could mention a whole slew (slough?) of [others besides] Father George, Bishop Mark Forsberg of Miami and his Archdeacon… “Hotbeds” anyone? Not enough fingers to count ‘m all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbGsoaEcYJo
” shunt McKinleys ” ??? what in the world does this mean ????????????
Shunt McKinley’s = bribe with $500 bills (no longer in circulation).
Only a GOA priest would be so intimately acquainted with bribery…..
What immediately came to my mind were $500 bills of the “current” series of 1928-1934, graced with the portrait of William McKinley.
Last printed around 1946 (with a date of 1934) and actively withdrawn from circulation since 1969–not that they circulated very widely to begin with. Highly sought-after collectors’ items.
Why McKinleys, though? Why not Clevelands or Madisons? Or Chases, for that matter?
In your post you seem to indict Bishop Nikita and Demitrios along with another third bishop. Your exact line is:
“The checks were sent to three North American bishops of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to the tune of almost $10,000 each.”
The news report does not mention this, so do you have a source for this claim or is this merely unsubstantiated rumor and gossip against hierarchs? In the past you posted the checked made out to Bishop Demitrios but where is the rest of the proof against the others?
“Kleptocracy” is a curious word one frequently encounters on these sounding boards. Often, it is raised in polemics against people one doesn’t like here. I would wager few Orthodox Christians would actually “like” this sort of stuff.
That being said, these are the internal affairs of the EP/GOA and some seem to attest to the propriety of such goings on. “Proper” at least for people who are in that ecclesiastical fishbowl. While taking cheap shots at the OCA for our not too distant past is quite easy for some, it seems the same people refuse to mention our current state of affairs, viz. we have done something about this type of thing and are working past our mistakes. Here, they are a “normal” part of the institution.
Yes, it is easy to pick low hanging fruit, but how is it one ignores ones tree and goes to another man’s orchard to avoid his own wormy apples?
ARCHDIOCESE WARMLY WELCOMES ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America welcomed today with enthusiasm and love His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios hosted a luncheon in honor of Archbishop Anastasios, with the participation of religious leaders including the Roman-Catholic Archbishop of New York Timothy Cardinal Dolan, diplomats and lay leaders of the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Demetrios of America and Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey welcomed His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios upon his arrival, along with clergy and lay members of the staff of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Anastasios said he was very happy to be at the Archdiocese again and expressed his gratitude for the welcome and the hospitality.
During the luncheon that followed, Archbishop Demetrios presented His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios to the guests and spoke about his long missionary work in Asia and Africa and his work for the resurrection of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania. On the request of His Eminence, Archbishop Anastasios, addressed the luncheon participants and spoke about the future of inter-religious relationships, the coexistence with other religious communities and the understanding and respect for the “other.”
Among the luncheon guests were Archbishop Justinian of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United States, Archbishop Nikon of the Albanian Archdiocese (OCA), Metropolitan Joseph of the Orthodox Bulgarian Diocese, Bishop Nicholas representing the Antiochian Archdiocese and Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Metropolitan John of Korçës (Korytsa, Albania), who is accompanying His Beatitude in his trip. Diplomats present included the Ambassador of Greece to the United States Christos Panagopoulos, the Permanent Representative of Greece in the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Spinellis; the Consul General of Greece in New York George Iliopoulos; and representing Cyprus, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations Ambassador Nikos Emiliou and the Consul General of Cyprus in New York Ambassador Vassilis Philippou. Additionally the luncheon attended, Mr. Michael Jaharis, vice-chairman of the Archdiocesan Council; Roman Catholic Bishop of Rockville Center William Murphey, Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Fr. Nathaniel Symeonides, the legal counsel of the Archdiocese Emmanuel Demos, great benefactor Christos Spyropoulos and Archdiocese Executive Director Jerry Dimitiou.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 28, Archbishop Anastasios will deliver the “Orthodoxy in America Lecture” at Fordham University on the topic Sharing the Good News in a Multi-Religious Country: Theological Reflections on Other Religions, while Fordham University will confer upon His Beatitude an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, the Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs and Celebration of Greek Letters, Archbishop Anastasios will take part in the festivities, will address the students during the morning Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and in the evening will be the keynote speaker during a celebration at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.
Too much information.
DISCLAIMER – OCR TEXT MAY HAVE ERRORS —– (Paper document filed today – should be searchable soon at http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl )
STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT SETH E. DIZARD, ESQ., as Court-Appointed Receiver for SXP ANAL YTICS LLC, Plaintiff, v. EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS and KIMBERLY MAMALAKIS 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217. EMM HOLDINGS LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, THE MAY FIRST FOUNDATION c/o LINDA JOHNSON N54W16652 RAVENWOOD DR. MENOMONEE FALLS, WI 53051, THE MAY 1st FINANCIAL, INC. c/o LINDA JOHNSON, Registered Agent N54W16652 RAVENWOOD DR. MENOMONEE FALLS, WI 53051, MAY 1st FINANCIAL LTD. INTERTRUST CORPORATE SERVICES (CAYMAN) LIMITED, Registered Office 190 ELGIN A VENUE GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS THE FIRM LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, THE INTERNATIONAL NON PROFIT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, MILWAUKEE COUNTY Case Code: THE WORLD ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, EMM INVESTMENTS I LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, EMM INVESTMENTS 2 LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS. Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, EMM INVESTMENTS 3 LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT. WI 53217. EM DEVELOPMENT LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, EM DEVELOPMENT II LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, 94LABS, LLC EMMANUEL MAMALAKIS, Registered Agent 7800 N. LAKE DRIVE FOX POINT, WI 53217, Defendants. COMPLAINT NOW COMES the Piaintit1~ Seth E. Dizard, Esq., in his capacity as the court-appointed Receiver for SXP Analytics, LLC (“SXP'”), by and through his attorneys, O’Neil, Cannon. Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C., and complains against the above-named Defendants as follows:
INTRODUCTION 1. SXP was formed in 2007 by the Defendant Emmanuel Mamalakis (‘”Mamalakis”), and two other individuals, Defendant Vitaliy Godlevsky (”Godlevsky”) and Andriy Kuharsky (“Kuharsky”). SXP was engaged in the business of high-frequency stock trading. Since its formation, SXP has been the target of an investigation, search, and seizure by the FBI, an investigation by the United States Attorney’s Ot1ice for the Southern District of Texas, a federal court lawsuit that is in its fourth year brought by one of the largest business entities in the high fi·equency trading industry, several additional lawsuits in Texas and Wisconsin state courts, and a brief bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. 2. The underlying litigation pending in Milwaukee County (Case Number 2012-CV-001478 (the Honorable Paul R. Van Grunsven presiding)) (the “Underlying Litigation”) is between Mamalakis and his former business partner, Godlevsky. Mamalakis owns two-thirds of SXP and Godlevsky owns one-third of SXP, according to a signed Operating Agreement. According to the same signed Operating Agreement, they each have 50% management control of SXP. The two partners split on February 24, 2011 after tens of millions of dollars had passed through SXP, resulting in successful operations over several years. 3. The Court appointed Attorney Dizard as the Receiver over SXP via an Order dated January 18,2013 in Milwaukee County Case Number 2012-CV-001478. By operation of law. the Receiver stands in the shoes of SXP and is entitled to assert all claims that SXP would be entitled to assert against the Defendants. 4. The Receiver has uncovered substantial evidence and accounting irregularities revealing that Mamalakis is the ringleader of perpetuating significant and stunning financial fraud. Mamalakis and the other Defendants – all of whom acted at the direction and under the control of Mamalakis – engaged in a complex and widespread scheme to shield SXP’s money and assets from SXP’s shareholders. its creditors, and even state and federal tax authorities. 5. This case involves a cutting edge high-frequency trading company making tens of millions of dollars using allegedly stolen trade secrets: it is rife with evidence of inconsistent and manipulated accounting records: highly suspicious financial transfers among numerous “non-profit” entities that seemingly serve no real “‘non-profit” purpose abound; records reveal tens of millions of dollars flowing among entities in accounts both within the United States and offshore with no discernible valid purpose; SXP transactions were mischaracterized on its books to lessen its tax burden; and Mamalakis engaged in egregious self-dealing with entities such as a governmental and public relations company and various investment companies. Mamalakis did not hesitate to capitalize on the wobbly house of cards he so carefully built: he lived an incredibly lavish lifestyle. spending over $1 million of SXP’s money on travel, meals, and entertainment. However, the house of cards has come crashing down – SXP is no more, and the extent of Mamalakis’ deceit is out of the bag. 6. The Receiver brings these claims against Mamalakis and the Defendants in an attempt to recoup the funds that Mamalakis and his entities intentionally, fraudulently, and wrongfully converted and used in blatant disregard of the law to the detriment of SXP’ s estate, shareholders. and creditors.
PARTIES 7. Plaintitiff Seth E. Dizard, Esq., was appointed as the Receiver over SXP via Order dated January 18,2013. 8. Upon information and belief, Defendants Mamalakis and Kimberly Mamalakis are married adult residents of the State of Wisconsin, residing at 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. 9. Upon information and belief: Defendant EMM Holdings LLC (“EMM Holdings”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Mamalakis is its registered agent, 10. Upon information and belief, Defendant The May First Foundation (”May First”) is an organization with no known state of incorporation whose principal of1ice is a home owned by Mamalakis at 2710 Chadwick Ct., Brookfield, WI 53045. Further, upon information and belief May First is operated by Mamalakis’ personal accountm1L Linda Johnson, and his personal lawyer, Hugo Rojas. Also upon information and belief, May First represents itself as a non-profit organization and has been approved by the United States Internal Revenue Service to operate as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. 11. Upon information and belief, The May 1st Foundation. Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin and its principal ot1ice is located at a home owned by Mamalakis, 2710 Chadwick Ct,, Brookfield, WI 53045. Linda Johnson is its registered agent, Upon information and belief, The May First Foundation, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of May First. 12. Upon information and belief May 1st Financial, Ltd. is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and its Registered oflice is located at lntertrust corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Cayman Islands. 13. Upon information and belief Defendant The Firm LLC (”The Firm”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Mamalakis is its registered agent. 14. Upon information and belief Defendant The International Non Profit Assistance Foundation (“INPAF”) is an organization with no known state of incorporation and is operated out of Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 N011h Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Also upon information and belief, INP AF represents itself as a non-profit organization and has been approved by the United States Internal Revenue Service to operate as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Mamalakis, Erin Pajak and Kimberly Mamalakis are directors of INPAF. 15. Upon information and belief: Defendant The World Assistance Foundation (“WAF”) is an organization with no known state of incorporation and is operated out of Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Also upon information and belief WAF represents itself as a non-profit organization and has been approved by the United States Internal Revenue Service to operate as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Mamalakis, Erin Pajak and Kimberly Mamalakis are directors of INP AF. 16. Upon information and belief: Defendant EMM Investments I LLC (”EMM I”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 N011h Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Mamalakis is its registered agent. 17. Upon information and belief, Defendant EMM Investments 2 LLC (“EMM2”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the Jaws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217, Mamalakis is its registered agent. 18. Upon information and belief Defendant EMM Investments 3 LLC (“EMM3”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive. Fox Point, Wisconsin 532 I 7. Mamalakis is its registered agent. 19. Upon information and belief Defendant EM Development LLC (“EM Development”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point, Wisconsin 53217. Mamalakis is its registered agent. 20. Upon information and belief: Defendant EM Development II ( “EM Development II LLC”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at Mamalakis’ personal residence, 7800 North Lake Drive, Fox Point. Wisconsin 532 I 7. Mamalakis is its registered agent. 21. Upon information and belief Defendant 94Labs, LLC (“94Labs”) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with its principal address located at a residence owned by Mamalakis, 2710 Chadwick Court, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045. Mamalakis is its registered agent.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE 22. Jurisdiction and venue is proper before this Court. The claims set forth herein arose in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and all Defendants either reside in or have done substantial business in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.
FACTS I. Steps Taken By the Receiver. 23. The Receiver has expended substantial effort, time, and resources in discovering the facts and developing the allegations asserted herein. 24. These efforts include engaging in substantial electronic discovery & Torts. As of the date of filing of this Complaint, the Receiver has taken control of 260 hard drives and 252 backup tapes from SXP. 25. The Receiver also has deposed Mamalakis, Linda Johnson (“Johnson”), and Brittany Kwiatkowski. Johnson is related to Mamalakis through marriage and acted as SXP’s Chief Financial Ot1icer with control over and access to all accounting records. Johnson still acts as Mamalakis’ personal accountant. 26. Johnson and Mamalakis have been highly evasive to the Receiver’s discoveryet Torts. As an example of Johnson and Mamalakis· evasive behavior, at their depositions, which took place over 6 days, the Receiver hoped that Johnson and Mamalakis would provide a full explanation of what transpired at SXP. Mamalakis and Johnson repeatedly remained oblivious to basic questions involving SXP, Mamalakis· other companies, and the many non-profit entities in this case. Specifically, Mamalakis and Johnson provided a total of 791 non-responsive answers at their depositions. Their unresponsive answers can be broken down as follows: Mamalakis used the following phrases in response to the Receiver’s counsel’s questions: • “I don’t know” 259 times; • “I’d have to check” 20 times; • “I don’t recall” 2 times; • “I didn’t prepare [for that]'” 3 times; • “!don’t remember” 207 times; and • ‘”I can’t remember” 5 times. Likewise, Johnson used the following phrases in response to the Receiver’s counsel’s questions: • ‘·I don’t know” 211 times; • ‘·I’d have to check” 14 times; • “I don’t recall” 31 times: • ‘·I didn’t prepare [for that]” 4 times; • “! don’t remember” 31 times; and • ‘·J can’t remember .. 4 times. Neither Mamalakis or Johnson have offered to supplement their deposition responses. 27. Many of these unresponsive answers related directly to large dollar transfers to or from SXP. For example, Mamalakis testified that he could not recall any of the details of a $700,000 withdrawal from SXP, a $1.6 million withdrawal tJ·om SXP, a $557.666.78 deposit into his real estate development company, EM Development, ti·om “CM Gold and Silver” that was immediately followed by a similar sized deposit into SXP, and a $102,000 cash deposit into SXP. 28. The Receiver has uncovered numerous egregious facts and asserts them with specificity herein, but given the status of discovery to date, the Receiver believes that additional discovery will reveal further significant misconduct by Mamalakis and his related entities.
II. An Accounting of SXP’s Funds Show Numerous Irregularities. A. Illegal Capital Contributions Were Made Into SXP. 29. SXP’s accounting records appear to disguise numerous withdrawals and the amount and source of much of SXP’s initial funding. 30. Undoubtedly, SXP was a highly profitable business. Approximately $44 million was deposited into its primary checking account between 2007 and 2012. 31. Through its high frequency trading operations, it appears that SXP was able to turn approximately $530,000 in capital contributions and roughly $3 million in funding into approximately $37 million in gross revenue in a few short years. 32. There were three main sources of start-up capital for SXP. First, Godlevsky contributed approximately $500,000 in start-up capital. Second, upon information and belief, Mamalakis contributed funds directly for SXP’s expenses. And third. money was provided by a charitable foundation controlled by Mamalakis: the Defendant, INPAF. 33. The first two sources of funding are largely straightforward. However. the nature and suitability of the third and largest source of initial funding for SXP is problematic. Funds began to flow into SXP from INPAF on January 29, 2008. According to SXP’s bank statements and wire transfer records, INPAF provided $2,448,429.30 in capital during an initial funding period that lasted until August 2009. According to Mamalakis’s deposition testimony, the funds were provided by INPAF as a loan. 34. Over a year after the last deposit from INPAF, SXP and INPAF executed a multi- draw note (the “INPAF Loan”) that was prepared by the law firm Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. Mamalakis signed the INPAF Loan for both SXP and for INPAF. The INPAF Loan memorialized that the money provided by INPAF over a year earlier was a loan. Further. the INPAF Loan also memorialized that all payments made to INPAF by SXP were payments on the INPAF Loan. 35. The funding from INPAF does not follow standard lending practices. The SXP general ledger states that TNPAF funded $4.2 million of the loan to SXP. But the bank statements are not consistent with the general ledger. According to SXP’s bank statements, SXP received only $2,448,429.30 from INPAF. 36. Part of the discrepancy between the bank statements and the general ledger may be explained by documents suggesting that Mamalakis and his wholly-owned real estate development business, Defendant EM Development, borrowed over $1.1 million of the money from INPAF. That is to say, according to SXP”s general ledger, INPAF gave $700,000 to Mamalakis directly and $400,000 to EM Development, instead of SXP. Specifically, there are two entries that stand out on the INPAF Loan section of SXP’ s general ledger. One states “Due from Mamalakis- $700,000″” and the other states “Due from EM Development- $400.000.” 37. Johnson testified that loans from SXP were recorded through a “due from'” entry 111 the SXP General Ledger. Accordingly, at least $1.1 million of the loan from INPAF wrongfully and improperly was given to Mamalakis and his real estate company instead of SXP. B. Inconsistencies Exist Between the SXP Ledger and the SXP Bank Statements. 38. The payments on the INPAF Loan do not coincide with the entries on SXP”s general ledger. Based upon SXP’s bank statements, SXP transferred at least $2,234,764 to INPAF that should have paid down the JNP AF Loan. However, the SXP general ledger does not reflect that $2,234,764 of the INPAF Loan was paid down. Instead, the ledger shows that, at the end of 2010, SXP still owed INPAF $3,236,208. 39. Part of the discrepancy may be explained by the fact that, according to Johnson and the SXP ledger, $790,000 worth of payments made to INPAF were treated by SXP as personal donations made by Godlevsky. Johnson testified that Godlevsky personally donated $790,000 to Mamalakis’ foundation. Godlevsky disputes this and has informed the Receiver he was completely unaware that his money was given to INPAF. 40. The SXP ledger entries on the $700,000 loan to Mamalakis and the $400,000 loan to EM Development also do not match the bank records. First. Mamalakis never paid off the $700,000 loan. However, the ledger wiped out the loan to Mamalakis through unexplained cash transactions and accounting entries. Approximately $600,000 of the loan disappeared through adjusting journal entries that reclassified the loan to Mamalakis as a “guaranteed payment” to Mamalakis. Then the remainder of the loan to Mamalakis was paid off through the $102,000 cash deposit. Again, neither Mamalakis nor Johnson can recall any details of the $102,000 in cash that was deposited into SXP, where it came from, or who deposited it to pay off Mamalakis’ loan. 41. Likewise, no bank statements show that EM Development paid otT the $400,000 loan from INPAF to EM Development. EM Development then borrowed even more money from SXP beyond this initial $400.000. These additional loans were recorded on SXP’ s general ledger on an account labeled “Due from EM Development.” The original loan of $400,000 does not appear on the ledger for EM Development, and EM Development never paid it back. 42. Ultimately, SXP continued to owe money to INPAF while it paid off the personal loan to Mamalakis and the EM Development loan. At the end of 2010, according to SXP’s books, SXP owed $3,236,208 to INPAF more than INPAF actually ever gave SXP, according to bank records. This intentional misconduct unjustly enriched INPAF and was detrimental to SXP. 43. In December of 2010, Mamalakis shut down INPAF and created the Defendant WAF. Mamalakis testified at his deposition that he did not know the extent of his involvement with WAF and could not name any other individual involved with WAF. This is particularly peculiar since. according to WAF tax records, Mamalakis is the director of WAF. and SXP began sending large amounts of money to WAF in 2011. WAF ultimately received $1.885.825.16 fl·om SXP according to SXP’s bank records. Again, these payments do not match SXP’ s general ledger. III. The May First Transaction. 44. Once SXP began operating, it almost immediately began to generate tremendous profits. In the second half of 2010, SXP’s lawyers developed a complicated scheme for moving and shielding SXP’s profits. The plan was this: a large portion of SXP’s trading pool would be taken out of SXP and given to a tax qualified, non-profit foundation, and that foundation would give the money back to SXP as SXP’s “client.” Profits could then be sent to the foundation out of the reach of other shareholders, creditors, and taxing authorities. The client foundation was the Defendant. May First. 45. The plan was laid out clearly m an email from SXP’s counsel at Reinhart to Johnson: SXP will withdraw funds from its trading account and use such funds to repay a loan it received from INPAF. INPAF will then donate such funds to Foundation, which will subsequently contribute those funds to its Cayman Islands subsidiary, May 1st Financial Ltd. (“Financial”). Financial will then deposit its funds into sxp’s trading account pursuant to the management agreement. In essence, the funds complete a ·’circle” and eventually end up back in SXP’s trading account (although the funds are owned by Financial rather than SXP when the transfers are complete). 46. The bank and tax records reveal that Mamalakis and his entities followed through with the plan concocted by SXP’ s counsel- with further additional steps taken to attempt to hide the transaction. First, Mamalakis withdrew $1.6 million out of SXP’s trading pool and sent it to a foundation called the St. Stephens Foundation. Based upon tax records and correspondence, the St. Stephens Foundation then gave the money to the Defendant, May First. May First gave the money to Defendant May 1st Financial, Ltd, its subsidiary in the Cayman Islands, who in turn gave the money back to SXP. This transaction will be referred to herein as the “May First Transaction.” 47. As seen in the below diagram, the transaction resulted in $1.6 million leaving SXP and roughly $1.5 million returning as a “client’s” money for SXP to continue using for its trading pool: May 1st $1.6 Million Wire transfer on December 20. 2010 from SXP to St. Stephens. transfers $1 million on December 23, 2010 and $500,000 SXP See December 20,2010 Ledger Entry, Ex. II at I. On January 13. 2011 to SXP ti·om an Account in the Cayman Islands. See Spang Report. Ex. 5 at 37. May 1st St. Stephens Foundation Foundation St. Stephens gives May 1st Financial, Ltd. $1,599,970 to May 151 • See St. Stephens Tax Returns, Ex. 12 at Schedule I. 48. Mamalakis acknowledges that no one other than he had authority to withdraw $1.6 million from SXP, but claims he knew not about this transaction. According to Mamalakis, SXP’ s attorneys advised him not to be involved with the transaction, However, Johnson testified that Mamalakis, in fact, knew of the transaction: Q. Do you recall ever having any discussions with Mr. Mamalakis about effectuating this transaction? A. rm sure he knew that a million — over a million dollars was leaving the account yes. 49. This $1.6 million transaction had the intended effect of diverting future SXP profits to be labelled as May First’s profits. After the transaction was complete. future profits from SXP were diverted to May First 50. The $1.6 million that was taken out of SXP and g1ven to May First was withdrawn from SXP as a ‘·partner withdrawal’· to Mamalakis. Because SXP was an LLC with Godlevsky as a one-third owner, $1.6 million could not be withdrawn without also giving Godlevsky a corresponding pm1ner withdrawal of $800,000. Godlevsky has informed the Receiver that he did not receive such a partner withdrawal of $800,000. 51. On May 30,2011, five months after the May First Transaction was completed and after Godlevsky was no longer working at SXP, Johnson altered the SXP general ledger to show that Godlevsky had received a corresponding partner withdrawal. Upon information and belief, Johnson acted at the direction of Mamalakis and pursumlt to his instruction. Specifically, Johnson modified the $790,000 worth of payments on the INPAF Loan to show that those payments were actually partner withdrawals given to Godlevsky and donated by Godlevsky to INPAF. Johnson selected 28 diflerent wire transfers that were made to INPAF between April 22,2010 and October 27,2010 and modified SXP’s journal to show that these transactions were ‘donations” from Godlevsky to INPAF. Again, Godlevsky has informed the Receiver he was not aware that any of his money was ever given to INPAF. 52. The fact that SXP’s books were altered is not evident on the surface of SXP’s ledger. When Johnson was asked about these entries during her deposition, she originally testified that she made the entries in SXP’s general ledger as donations to INPAF at Godlevsky’s direction in 2010. After she was shown the audit trail for these transactions, however, she revised her testimony to state that she was ”really busy”‘ in 2010 and did not get around to modifying these transactions until months after Godlevsky left SXP in May 2011. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that she modified the transactions according to Mamalakis’ instructions. 53. Godlevsky has informed the Receiver that he was never told that any of his money was being donated to Mamalakis’ foundation, he was never told that SXP was giving away an additional $1.6 million of its money to a ‘·client”‘ foundation. and he was never told SXP was now trading money that was owned by someone else. Further. the Receiver is not aware of any document suggesting Godlevsky was informed that (i) he personally was donating $790.000 to Mamalakis’ foundation, (ii) SXP was giving away $1.6 million of its trading pool, or (iii) SXP was even trading money for someone else. 54. After the May First Transaction was complete, an ‘·independent” board was put in place to govern May First. However, money continued to flow from May First back to Mamalakis’ foundations. According to May First’s Tax Returns, WAF received $416,000 from May First in 2011. Johnson also regularly requested donations for other entities from May First and could not recall any time those requests were refused. 55. Upon information and May First 1st is still paying for Mamalakis’ professional services. In 2012, May First’s “independent” board resigned. Today, Johnson is the director of May First. Further, both Johnson and Mamalakis’ attorney- Hugo Rojas- are each receiving a salary of $90,000 to $120,000 per year, respectively, directly from May First. May First appears to have less than $500,000 in assets. Yet, Rojas and Johnson are receiving a salary as if they were full-time employees for this Foundation. IV. Tax Burdens Placed Upon Godlevskv. 56. Not only did Johnson modify the general ledger to reflect that Godlevsky donated $790,000 to SXP, but she also modified the general ledger to increase Godlevsky’s tax burden. After Godlevsky and Mamalakis separated, Mamalakis directed Johnson to change SXP’ s general ledger so every transaction that could be considered a personal expense for Godlevsky was altered on the books to classify it as a personal expense. Once an item was booked on SXP’s ledger as a personal expense, Godlevsky was required to pay income taxes as if the expense was personal income. On February 25, 2011. the day after Godlevsky and Mamalakis separated, the audit trail on SXP’s general ledger shows that Johnson began changing entries on the ledger. 57. Many of the entries Johnson modified were over one year old. For example, Johnson modified the payments made by SXP over a year earlier to Godlevsky’s attorneys in the Texas litigation to show that those payments should be considered his personal expenses. Some of the entries that were modified are not related to personal expenses for Godlevsky. For example, Johnson modified entries for payments made to SXP’s counsel and SXP’s litigation consultant, thereby wrongfully increasing Godlevsky’s income on its books. In total, Godlevsky was charged with $359,817.99 in legal expenses as personal income. Modifications also were made for travel, gasoline, and meals and entertainment expenses long after the entries were originally made to ret1ect that these expenses were for personal income. Ultimately, according to the SXP general ledger, $1,473,696.21 was passed on to Godlevsky’s Kl for his taxes. Godlevsky has informed the Receiver that he has been forced to appeal his assessment. V. Self-Dealing With Related Companies. 58. Mamalakis also intentionally and fraudulently engaged in and his explanation for these transactions is unsupported by written documentation. For instance, Mamalakis set up a government relations and public relations company known as Defendant The Firm. The Firm received over $1.5 million in direct wire transfer payments from SXP between August 2010 and June 2012 for its services. There is no evidence that The Firm ever performed services for SXP. 59. Mamalakis testified before the United States Bankruptcy Court that The Firm sent invoices to SXP for its services. However, Johnson testified that no such invoices exist. 60. According to Mamalakis. SXP also received administrative services from Mamalakis’ holding company. Defendant EMM Holdings. During the period when SXP was operating, SXP paid EMM Holdings approximately $3.6 million. Mamalakis testified before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that EMM Holdings sent invoices to SXP for administrative services. Again, Johnson testified that no such invoices have ever existed. There is ample evidence to suggest EMM Holdings existed to act as a “holding company” for Mamalakis’ other companies. 61. Mamalakis also loaned SXP’s money to his other companies without sufficient consideration or documentation. In addition to EM Development and EM Development IL Mamalakis gave money to his three investment companies – Defendants EM Investments L II and Ill. Collectively, EM Investments I, II and Ill received $1,645,873. There is no evidence that any of these entities repaid or even intended to repay these “loans” from SXP. 62. In total, Mamalakis caused SXP to transfer at least $16,350,343.42 to Mamalakis personally, causes he supported, and the companies and foundations he either owns or controls. This amount does not include possible personal expenses that were paid by SXP that may have been recorded as SXP business expenses. 63. The Receiver has not been provided with a single invoice for any of the work performed by any of Mamalakis’ different companies for SXP. However, through various adjusting journal entries and limited payments, SXP’s balance sheet was modified to reflect that today SXP is only owed money from three remaining companies – Defendants The Firm and EMM Holdings, and an entity called 94 Tradings. Based upon information presently available to the Receiver, these three companies appear to be defunct and have no assets. VI. Commingling Pavements for Personal Expenses. 64. Upon information and belief Mamalakis does not dispute that hundreds of thousands of Mamalakis’ personal expenses were paid out of SXP’s bank account. These payments include payments for his mortgage, credit card expenses, work done on his house, five different nannies, and payments for private school tuition. At his deposition, Mamalakis provided the following explanation for SXP’s payment of his personal expenses: [T]he IRS doesn’t permit someone in my position to be on a standard salary. I was told by lawyers and accountants that I had to be on a draw schedule instead of a salary. And so my draw schedule was if there’s any time that I received money for personal issues from SXP, it was placed — it was recorded and tabbed in a draw account. So if someone — if my mortgage was paid, it was identified to the draw account. If I repaired the — if I repaired the plumbing in my kitchen. that was assigned to my draw account. Mamalakis testified that he does not remember which attorney provided this advice. Mamalakis spent over $1 million of SXP’s money on travel, meals. and entertainment, including approximately $160,000 on restaurants owned by the Surge Group alone that was purportedly on behalf of SXP. Mamalakis could not identify at his deposition any marketing material reports, or other documents evidencing that the many travel and entertainment events were for or on behalf of SXP. Mamalakis intentionally and wrongfully used SXP’s funds for his personal use. 65. At least some of the payments made for Mamalakis’ personal expenses were not placed on his draw or ‘guaranteed payment”‘ account. For example, Mamalakis had at least four different nannies. Each nanny either was a salaried employee at one of Mamalakis’ companies, or received direct payments from SXP as an independent contractor for SXP. In total, these nannies were paid at least $107,000, none of which was recorded as part of Mamalakis’ draw and none of which was counted as SXP income for tax purposes.
COUNT I- AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS (Theft in Violation of Wis. Stat.§ 943.20(l)(b))
66. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs. 67. The Defendants, by virtue of their office, business, and/or employment. and/or as trustee or bailee, having possession or custody of money or of a negotiable security, instrument, paper. or other negotiable writing of SXP, intentionally used, transferred, concealed, or retained possession of such money, security, instrument, paper, or writing without SXP’s consent, contrary to their authority, and with intent to convert to their own use or to the use of any other person except SXP. 68. SXP was harmed as a result. 69. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 895.446(3), SXP is entitled to recover actual damages, investigative costs, and exemplary damages equal to three times the amount awarded for actual damages. 70. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
71. The Defendants intentionally controlled and/or took possession of property belonging to SXP without SXP’s consent, including, but not limited to, SXP’s capital and monetary value, thereby resulting in serious interference with the rights of SXP to possess this property.
72. SXP was harmed as a result.
COUNT III- AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS (Violation of the Wisconsin Organized Crime Control Act, Wis. Stat.§ 946.83)
73. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
74. The Defendants received proceeds with knowledge that they were derived. directly or indirectly, from a pattern of racketeering activity, and they each used or invested, directly or indirectly, part of the proceeds or the proceeds derived from the investment or use thereof in the acquisition of any title to, or any right, interest, or equity in, real property or in the establishment or operation of any enterprise.
75. The Defendants, through a pattern of racketeering activity, acquired and maintained, directly or indirectly, interest in or control of any enterprise or real property.
76. The Defendants conducted or participated, directly or indirectly, in the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.
77. The pattern of racketeering activity caused harm to SXP.
78. The incidents comprising the pattern of racketeering activity occurred within seven years of each other and included, but are not limited to, violations of Wis. Stat. §943.20(3)(c) (theft),§ 943.90 (wire fraud), and§ 943.89 (mail fraud).
79. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 946.84, the Defendants should be fined not to exceed 2 times the gross value gained or 2 times the gross loss caused, whichever is the greater, plus court costs and the costs of investigation and prosecution, reasonably incurred.
COUNT IV- AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS (Conspiracy)
80. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
81. The Defendants combined to act together to agree to violate or disregard the law and knowingly commit wrongful acts. They came to a mutual understanding to try to accomplish a common and unlawful plan. The Defendants had an agreement, explicit or otherwise, on the common end sought and some cooperation toward the attainment of that end.
82. SXP incurred damages by acts performed by the Defendants pursuant to the conspiracy. COUNT V- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Equitable Subordination)
83. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
84. Mamalakis engaged in inequitable conduct. this misconduct resulted in injury to other creditors of SXP or an unfair advantage to Mamalakis, and subordination of the debt is consistent with principles governing receiverships.
85. To the extent Mamalakis has an allowed claim this matter, it should be equitably subordinated to the claims of SXP and its creditors.
COUNT VI -AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Declaration Judgment Piercing the Corporate Veil) 86. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
87. Plaintiff seeks a declaratory judgment that Mamalakis should be held personally liable for SXP’s debts.
88. Despite the signed agreement that did not give him the authority, Mamalakis exercised control and complete domination, not only of finances but also of policy and business practice in respect to the misconduct described herein so that SXP had at the time no separate mind, will, or existence of its own.
89. Mamalakis used this control to commit fraud or wrong, to perpetrate the violation of a statutory or other positive legal duty, or dishonest and unjust act in contravention of SXP’ s legal rights.
90. This control and breach of duty proximately caused SXP’s injury or unjust loss.
COUNT VII- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Breach of Fiduciary Duty)
91. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
92. As the 66% owner of SXP that forced himself into a position of compete authority over SXP, despite the contractual split in management authority, Mamalakis owed SXP a fiduciary duty of loyalty and good faith.
93. By and through the actions and/or inactions as outlined herein, including, but not limited to, those actions and/or inactions as outlined in paragraphs 33-35, 37-41. 42-56, and 58-64, Mamalakis breached that duty.
94. Mamalakis’ breach of his fiduciary duty caused damage to SXP.
COUNT VIII- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Negligence)
95. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
96. As the 66% owner of SXP that forced himself into a position of compete authority over SXP, despite the contractual split in management authority, Mamalakis owed SXP a duty of care.
97. By and through the actions and/or inactions as outlined herein, including, but not limited to, those actions and/or inactions as outlined in paragraphs 33-35, 37-41. 42-56, and 58-64, Mamalakis breached that duty care.
98. Mamalakis’ breach of his duty of care caused injury to SXP.
99. SXP suffered actual loss/damage resulting from Mamalakis’ breach of his duty of COUNT IX- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Fraudulent Transfer in Violation of Wis. Stat.§ 242.04)
100. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
101. The Receiver is a creditor with a claim within the meaning of Wis. Stat. § 242.01(4) with respect to SXP’s assets that were fraudulently transferred away.
102. Defendant Mamalakis exercised dominion and control over SXP and is a debtor of SXP within the meaning of Wis. Stat.§ 242.01(6) for his fraudulent activities.
103. Defendant Mamalakis made transfers and/or incurred obligations that were fraudulent as to SXP. Defendant Mamalakis made these transfers or incurred these obligations either (a) with actual intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any of his or SXP’s creditors; or (b) without receiving a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for the transfer or obligation, and Defendant Mamalakis (i) was engaged or was about to engage in a business or a transaction for which his remaining assets were unreasonably small in relation to the business or transaction; or (ii) intended to incur, or believed or reasonably should have believed that he would incur, debts beyond his ability to pay as they became due.
104. As a result of these fraudulent transfers, SXP and its creditors have suffered damages.
COUNT X- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Intentional Misrepresentation)
105. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
106. Mamalakis made the false representations of fact to SXP as outlined herein, including, but not limited to, those false representations as outlined in paragraphs 26-62.
I07. SXP believed these representations to be true and relied on them to its detriment.
108. Mamalakis either knew these representations were untrue or made these representations recklessly without caring whether they were true or false.
109. Mamalakis made these representations with the intent to deceive SXP and induce SXP to act on these representations.
110. These representations caused harm to SXP.
COUNT XI- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Strict Liability Misrepresentation)
111. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
112. Mamalakis made the false representations of fact to SXP as outlined herein, including, but not limited to. those false representations as outlined in paragraphs 26-62.
113. SXP believed these representations to be true and relied on them to its detriment.
114. These misrepresentations were made on Mamalakis’ personal knowledge or undercircumstances in which he necessarily ought to have known the truth or untruth of these statements.
115. Mamalakis had an economic interest in the transactions stemming from these misrepresentations.
116. These representations caused harm to SXP.
COUNT XII- AGAINST DEFENDANT MAMALAKIS (Negligent Misrepresentation)
117. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
118. Mamalakis made the false representations of fact to SXP as outlined herein, including, but not limited to, those false representations as outlined in paragraphs 26-62.
119. SXP believed these representations to be true and relied on them to its detriment.
120. Mamalakis had a duty of care to SXP or voluntarily assumed a duty of care.
121. Mamalakis failed to exercise ordinary care in making the representation or ascertaining the facts.
122. These representations caused harm to SXP.
COUNT XII- AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS (Injunctive Relief- Wis. Stat. § 81 3)
123. Plaintiff restates and incorporates all preceding paragraphs.
124. Upon information and Defendants, including but not limited to May First are continuing to dissipate or otherwise alleviate funds earned by SXP.
125. The dissipation ofti.mds by Defendants amounts to waste.
126. A preliminary and permanent injunction barring Defendants ti·om disposing ot:
spending, alleviating, or otherwise removing assets is necessary to prevent waste.
WHEREFORE, the Seth E. Dizard, Esq., in his capacity as the court-appointed Receiver for SXP Analytics, LLC, respectfully requests that this Court enter judgment against Defendants in an amount to be determined at trial, plus interest. costs, fines, and exemplary damages. Further, Plaintiff, Seth E. Dizard, Esq., respectfully requests that this Court enter injunctive relief in the form of a preliminary and permanent injunction barring and for such other relief as this Court deems equitable and just.
A TRIAL BY JURY IS HEREBY DEMANDED O’NEIL, CANNON, HOLLMAN, DEJONG & LAING S.C. Attorneys for Seth E. Dizard, Esq., Receiver for SXP ANALYTICS LLC Seth E. Dizard State Bar No. 1025871 P.O. Address: O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C. 111 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1400 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 (414) 276-5000
ahem. The current practice of taking bishops from among monastics and celibate priests, is part
of the problem. Gays are going to gravitate to such situations (and a monastery doesn’t solve the
problem if the persons relegated to such are not kept isolated).
The canons of the Ecumenical Councils only mandate celibate bishops for NORTH AFRICA and one
of the two or three about this denounces the north Africans for their excessive perfectionism or
whatever, pusillanimity, but caves to the demand for the sake of keeping order.
St. Paul however, and I would think that an Apostle’s words outrank an Ecumenical Council, said
that a bishop SHOULD be a married man.
Restore the married episcopate (perhaps relieve some potential bishops of existing oaths of celibacy
until this can be settled in) and you solve a lot of these problems.
The present practice is a way of sidestepping the dispute rendering it moot, since only celibates get considered. The celibate episcopate was expressly created as an economia, not a norm for all patriarchates and lands.
First, Fr. Artemas chose to leave the parish in Glenview and chose to come to Milwaukee; Fr. Dokos wanted to leave Milwaukee for several years to be closer to Chicago–the swap was in both their interests, at least initially. Fr. Artemas has never claimed he was forced to leave Glenview.
Second, indeed, indictments do seem to be in the works in Milwaukee, but according to public records filed with the Wisconsin court, it is not Fr. Dokos who will be indicted in this matter. Rather, the attorney who led the Milwaukee Parish Council to seek a criminal investigation (which has amounted to nothing) will likely be indicted for felony perjury, theft and various racketeering-related charges pertaining to the bankruptcy of one of his former companies (among 12 or so, including several non-profits and off-shore companies with similar names). In any case, the filed case by the court-appointed receiver Seth E. Dizard, Esq, for SXP Analytics alleges the misuse and/or theft of literally millions.
Philip Demos, these are indeed very interesting developments. I notice those who were so quick to crucify Fr. Dokos have become quite silent now that more of the truth appears to be coming out. How sad this is for so many. Why must we be so willing to believe the worst right from the start?
Well Crucifixion was the price paid for theft. I’m sure you will be quite silent at the end of next week.
Usually, punishment comes after one is found guilty of something. But it todays atmosphere of gossip and innuendo, I guess proof is not required. Anonymity makes such bad behavior easy.
Under normal circumstances I could see your point. But given the tyrannical way I and others have witnessed this priest lead his ministry, the allegations being investigated come as no surprise. Maybe if he truly led his ministry as the Lord desires, with love and actions that reflect what a Christian leader should possess from the Scripture, the reality would be different.
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Christ specifically tells us in Matthew 23 that there will be spiritual leaders like this. Christ teaches discernment, not blind obedience to those who who have been ordained.
When the authorities finish their work, those that were able to discern early on based on Christ’s teachings and paying attention to “their fruits” are truly blessed with true understanding of His Word, and the courage to speak up for Truth.
While he is not my parish priest, I have worked with him on many projects and have seen nothing even coming close to “tyranny”. So I can only observe by what I know to be true. In either case, a person deserves to be proven wrong before they are punished. There has been plenty of character assassination going on and the findings have not even been determined. Perhaps we should look carefully at the ones making the accusations to see if there might be other motivations or if their credibility is worthy.
Time will tell, but in the meantime, the behavior of those passing judgment is shameful. Especially when done from the shadows or anonymity. At least you have the integrity to stand behind your words. My experience is different from yours, but I respect your willingness to stand behind your words.
I agree that one should not be punished until proven wrong. But at the very least, the person in question should be given a paid leave to ensure all are protected in the mean time during due process. Under your assertion, Catholic priests who are being investigated for abusing children would still be in a position to continue abuse during due process. The same applies for spiritual abuse and financial abuse. We are supposed to be able to place full trust in a spiritual leader. When that trust is in question, steps need to be put in place until trust can be restored.
Only if you equate being accused of missusing money entrusted to your care with abusing a child. I think most reasonable people would not equate the two. In the case of abusing a child, one must be removed from the situation while an investigation takes place. In the case of Sts. Peter and Paul, the priest is not in a position to acces the parish finances. He cannot sign checks or transfer money. There is no danger to the community of misuse of funds. So the analogy is a poor one. The priest is not being investigated for “spiritual abuse” which is something which would be addressed by the Spiritual Court in any case. And as far as protecting the parish finances, well clearly thEy were never at risk. Now it seems one of the main accusers has a serious credibility issue. I wonder if the folks who have tried and convicted Fr. Jim already will see this in a different light. I doubt it.
Tom, I’d rather leave the question of Fr Dokos’ immediate suspension aside. I personally think that due process must be observed and then the canonical discipline. The point I’ve tried to make from the start is that such funding is questionable. The very idea that an endowment for the Church can be set up with only one trustee is a recipe ripe for disaster.
What has been told in the media ($10K to Kantsavelos, $10K Lulias, $50K for Dokos’ own credit card) doesn’t pass the smell test.
Isn’t that what the DA is investigating? Aren’t you contradicting yourself? You repeat what has been “told in the media” and yet say that due process must be observed. All along I have been saying let the due process work its way and don’t crucify the man based upon rumor and information leaked which now seems likely to have come from questionable sources. Others here have tried and convicted the man. Even your comments seem to imply as though you have made up your mind. Lets see what the due process determines and then canonical discipline will follow if needed.