Former Buffalo Priest Charged in Alleged $450,000 Fraud Scheme
Christos Christakis has been charged with bank fraud after allegedly misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a church discretionary fund.
BUFFALO, NY — Federal prosecutors have charged the former priest of the Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation with bank fraud following allegations that parish funds were misused over several years, according to a criminal complaint unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the charge against Christos Christakis, a 57-year-old Cincinnati resident, alleging he diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from church-controlled accounts.
According to investigators, Christakis was assigned in 2007 to serve the Annunciation parish, where he later gained expanded control over a “Priest Discretionary Fund.” Prosecutors say that by 2011 he had amended parish by-laws in a way that gave him sole authority over the account, which was intended for limited charitable assistance to those in need and typically capped at under $1,500.
"In March 2025, a whistle-blower complaint was filed with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America about the financial irregularities occurring at HOCA, which prompted the Archdiocese to conduct an internal investigation into Christakis, during which he made admissions to using parish funds for his own personal benefit between 2018 and 2025," the release from the attorney's office states.
As reported by UOJ-America last year, Christakis was fired from the Buffalo parish after admitting to the misuse of $365,000 in funds. According to the attorney's office, he is now accused of diverting approximately $450,000.
Last year, the archdiocese said that Christakis “cooperated fully with the investigation, admitted his misconduct, and has expressed deep remorse,” as well as making restitution in the amount of the approximate $365,000 that was misused. From last year's story:
George A. Tsourakis, general counsel for the archdiocese, said in a May 5 email to parishioners that Christakis’ spouse had significant medical issues, which were described as “an understandable struggle… but one that he acknowledges does not excuse his conduct.”
Tsourakis also said in a letter reported on by WGRZ that the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) had decided not to pursue criminal charges and had declined to investigate the matter further.
The earlier reporting continues:
A spokesperson for Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane also said that the DA’s office “will proceed accordingly” if there is a cooperative complainant and a viable criminal charge.
Athena Tsembelis, former parish council president and Greek Festival leader at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, told WGRZ that she hopes the archdiocese turns over the evidence, and that if it doesn’t, the parish has documents it can prepare to provide the district attorney with necessary information.
The complaint alleges that between 2018 and 2025, hundreds of deposits flowed into the fund, but only a small number were properly designated donations. Investigators further claim that parish funds were used for personal expenses, including payments toward a credit card bill, and that approximately $450,000 was ultimately diverted. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted in federal court.
Authorities also reviewed bank activity involving Christakis’s household accounts, alleging cash withdrawals from church funds closely matched unexplained deposits into personal accounts. Prosecutors say the financial patterns were inconsistent with known income sources, prompting the bank fraud charge, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Christakis was ordained to the priesthood in 1996 and has served multiple parishes. At the time of publishing this report, it is not known whether or not he has been formally defrocked by a spiritual court. UOJ-America has reached out to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for clarification in that regard and is awaiting a response.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Finnish court sentenced retired Abp. Leo in a grant fraud case.
