The president of the Hellenic American National Council says his name was cited as a supporter of Maria Karystianou's new political party at its Thessaloniki launch without his knowledge — and he is rejecting the association entirely.
Vasilis Matarangas, a Chicago resident who left Greece 53 years ago, said he learned of the endorsement claim only after the event, when a promotional video delivered by New York-based expat Kostas Katechis named both men as backers of Mrs. Karystianou's "Hope for Democracy" movement.
"I left Greece 53 years ago and do not participate in Greek domestic politics," Mr. Matarangas said.
Mrs. Karystianou's team did not respond to requests for comment on the unauthorized name use.
It is the third organizational embarrassment for the fledgling party in days — following earlier scrutiny over a Russia-based Greek businessman who managed the petition drive, and questions over the party's broader diaspora recruitment methods.
Former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras launches his own competing movement on May 26, adding pressure on Mrs. Karystianou to stabilize her operation.
By Athanassia Angelopoulou