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Greek Orthodox Stewards of America - June 10, 1999

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Supplemental Affidavit of George Chelpon
Filed in Court by Archdiocese
in Suit Filed Against it by Simos C. Dimas

SUPREME COURT: STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
____________________________________________

APPLICATION OF SIMOS C. DIMAS,
Petitioner,

For a judgment pursuant to Article 78 of the CPLR
SUPPLEMENTAL AFFIDAVIT OF GEORGE CHELPON

vs.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA,Index No. 116896/98
Respondent.
____________________________________________

STATE OF NEW YORK)
COUNTY OF NEW YORK) ss.:

GEORGE CHELPON, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

1. I, George Chelpon, am the acting Director of Finance of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, also known as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (the "Archdiocese"), the Respondent in this proceeding. I make this supplemental affidavit to inform of the Court of an additional report issued by BDO Seidman, the independent auditors for the Archdiocese. . . . . This affidavit is based upon my personal knowledge and knowledge obtained in my capacity as Director of Finance of the Archdiocese.

2. BDO Seidman Report on Accounts Wrongfully Criticized by Petitioner Dimas: BDO Seidman has just finished analyzing two accounts, among others, including the "Archbishop Spyridon Charitable Account" which Petitioner claims was used to compensate the Chancellor so he could avoid taxes. The BDO Seidman report concludes that Internal Revenue Forms 1099 were issued to the Chancellor and the funds all came from general operating funds of the Archdiocese that were placed in the account by the Archdiocese. Of the four checks issued from the "Archbishop Spyridon Charitable Account," two of these checks were signed by Jerry Dimitriou. BDO Seidman also has analyzed the petty cash account. Although Petitioner alleges that the Archbishop's compensation was paid from petty cash so that he could avoid taxes, BDO Seidman has concluded that these funds were given to charity as the Archbishop contends and that -- to the extent any of the money was used for Archbishop's salary -- Form 1099's were issued to His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon. Ironically, except for six checks, Jerry Dimitriou signed these petty cash checks and prepared and signed the check requests which identify the purpose of each payment withdrawn out of the petty cash account. A copy of the aforementioned BDO Seidman Report is attached to this affidavit as Exhibit A.

(signed)
_____________
George Chelpon

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED
before me this 5th day of March, 1999.

(signed)
____________
Notary Public

[ Greek Orthodox Stewards of America
  www.gostewards.org/news/n99061004.htm
  June 10, 1999 ]