In November 2012, I paid $100 to the Greek America Foundation believing I was subscribing to its Greek America Magazine. I shelled out $50 for the yearly subscription and $50 for publishing my name as a sponsor in the magazine. I never received the magazine. I called them on six occasions in 2013 and each time was told to wait at least another month to receive the magazine. After a year, the magazine was never published as promised. I was told it was a "donation" and not offered a refund when I asked. I wasn't aware the Greek America Foundation placed Greek America Magazine into its tax- exempt nonprofit organization or 501(c)(3) in 2012. After dealing with this foundation for over a year, I felt scammed. I am a Greek American and proud of my heritage, so it is with a heavy heart to warn others who support Hellenic causes to think twice before supporting this foundation. Gregory Pappas, the founder of the Greek America Foundation, is on top of the pyramid while donors like myself got nothing in return, such as the never published 2013 Greek America Magazine every quarter. Being a casino reporter, I've reported on many scams such as Full Tilt Poker's shutdown by the Department of Justice for what is known as Black Friday (April 15, 2011) in the poker world for running a Ponzi scheme. If Greg Pappas just delivered his magazine, he wouldn't be on my radar. Now his Greek America Foundation has created a "Project Hope for Greece" fundraising charity campaign to take advantage of the economic crises in Greece. Pappas has collected $130,000 while disbursing only $60,000 so far. Pappas enjoys a life of luxury flying around the world and staying at first class hotels such as the 5 star Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. It appears that the Greek America Foundation gives less than 50% of the donations it receives. My hope is that this nonprofit foundation isn't as bad as it seems.

• published: 03 Jan 2014
• views: 22