A reception at Gracie Mansion for the Greek-American group set for Thursday prematurely of the group’s annual parade has stirred controversy after senior Adams administration officers revoked an award for one of many honorees on the final minute.
On March 7, Mayor Adams’ workplace notified Astoria, Queens businessman Gus Lambropoulos, a latest candidate for state Senate, that he can be one among 4 honorees on the reception for his a few years of group service. The vetting had lasted a couple of month.
Lambropoulos’ spouse, Maria Markou, a lawyer and district chief in Astoria, was steamed.
“This is just another example of reckless judgment by the mayor’s administration in taking back an award from a worthy NYC citizen,” she stated. Markou estimated the couple’s associates had spent some $7,500 to journey to the occasion.
Markou believes there have been politics at play. She thinks Metropolis Corridor modified course as a result of they had been conscious she and different district leaders in Queens are planning subsequent week to endorse ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2025 mayoral main problem towards Adams.
“To congratulate, give it, and then take it back is a complete disrespect and a slap to our beloved Greek-American community,” she stated.
However Kayla Mamelak, a spokeswoman for Adams, stated Lambropoulos was faraway from the record after officers realized Markou had been honored at an identical Heritage occasion two years in the past. “When it comes to heritage events, we do one award per household, so that we can recognize as many community members as possible. And his wife had received a similar award,” Mamelak stated.
Markou stated that’s stunning, given Metropolis Corridor knew from the beginning the couple was married. The pair are each well-known in the neighborhood.
“If there was a policy as they allege last minute, why did they do the vetting process, my husband passes it and they congratulate him and ask for the list of guests?” she stated. “This does not make sense. I believe this is politically motivated by Eric Adam’s side.”
The opposite honorees embody Margo Vondersaar Catsimatidis, the spouse of billionaire grocery store mogul John Catsimatidis, a significant participant in metropolis politics who’s near each Adams and Cuomo. On Feb. 27, Catsimatidis donated $20,000 as a sponsor of the parade and is listed as a md emeritus.
He was additionally a sponsor of the identical annual Hellenic occasion at Gracie Mansion in 2024.
Catsimatidis is a high-dollar political donor near President Trump and has a radio present that’s influential in conservative circles. The mogul has been a backer of the mayor, however has not too long ago proven indicators of warming as much as Cuomo. He had Cuomo on his radio present on March 9. A Cuomo spokesman declined remark Monday.
Lambropoulos stated he first discovered he can be an honoree in early February so long as he handed a background examine. He submitted his date of delivery, bio and resume to Metropolis Corridor for vetting.
He works as a enterprise marketing consultant on actual property tasks and describes himself as a 9/11 survivor and a two-time most cancers survivor. He misplaced his bid for the state Senate final 12 months within the democratic main to Kristen Gonzalez.
“Thank you so much,” Lambropoulos replied, copying Shargal. “My family will attend and are incredibly excited and humbly honored to be a part of this event.”
5 days later, Lambropoulos acquired a name from Valerie Vasquez, the Deputy Commissioner of Group Affairs.
Lambropoulos appealed to Fred Kreizman, Adams’ Commissioner of Group Affairs.
“He simply stated, ‘It is what it is,’” Lambropoulos said.
Littman offered to still allow his guests to attend the event.
But Lambropoulos remains unsatisfied. “It’s simply one other manner they’re missing duty and possession for what they do,” he stated. “How would the mayor feel if someone did that to him?”
Initially Printed: March 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM EDT
