Haverhill, Mass. Man charged with tricking his fellow Greeks

By Jason Tait , Staff Writer
Eagle-Tribune

HAVERHILL - A Greek investor is charged with bilking $500,000 from his countrymen, including people living in Haverhill, and betting away the money in casinos.

Peter Tzamalas of Norwood targeted other Greeks in Massachusetts, some with little or no English skills, said Secretary of State William Galvin.

Tzamalas, a native of Greece, "used his heritage and fluency in his native language to defraud many investors from the Greek community in eastern Massachusetts," Galvin said in a statement.

In some cases, the victims were defrauded of their life savings, Galvin said.

Father Makarios Niakaros, pastor of Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church on Winter Street in Haverhill, said it is "shameful" for a Greek immigrant to prey on people with limited English skills.

More:
http://www.eagletribune.com/hhnews/local_story_081093815