#PTA ‘lies’ part of power struggle in Astoria’s Greek community: suit

A Greek blogger is being being paid to post lurid lies as part of a mysterious “power struggle” in Queens’ Greek community, according to a lawsuit.

The web writer, Nikos Stamatakis, and his Helleniscope blog have been on a “malicious and relentless campaign” against prominent Greek leaders in Astoria, one man alleges in Manhattan Supreme court papers.

Lawyer Costas Eliades, who has volunteered for Saint Demetrios Church and is on the board at Saint Demetrios School, claims Stamatakis falsely accused him of committing adultery in a school building with a married PTA mom.

Stamatakis was sued for defamation last year by former Saint Demetrios superintendent Anastasios Koularmanis, who says the blogger ruined his rep by falsely accusing him of embezzlement. The case is ongoing.

“Ludicrously portraying himself as a courageous crusader against corruption, Stamatakis has seriously damaged reputations and lives,” Eliades charges in the legal filing.

Eliades is also suing a number of unidentified “John Doe” defendants, whom he claims have been funding Stamatakis’ work as part of a “a power struggle in the community in general, and over the operation and finances of a parochial school in particular.”

Stamatakis has defended his work as truthful.

“…My role is to bring to light all power abuses and ‘conflicts of interest’ taking place in St. Demetrios community of Astoria,” he told The Post, adding, “I do not get paid by anyone and the website has very, very limited income.”

“Unlike Mr. Stamatakis, I prefer to try my cases in the courtroom rather than in the press,” said Eliades’ lawyer, Richard Altman.