Ex-Thessaloniki mayor to face embezzlement probe

Former Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos is among 25 people that have been called for questioning by an investigating magistrate in connection with a probe into alleged embezzlement of millions of euros at the municipality.

The suspects, who include department directors, deputy mayors and a former general secretary, will be questioned in May. They will have to answer questions about alleged stealing of funds and forged paperwork.

A preliminary investigation found that 51.4 million euros were missing from municipal funds. So far, one municipal employee has been jailed for embezzlement after admitting to stealing 1 million euros.

Papageorgopoulos served two terms as Thessaloniki mayor before being replaced by Yiannis Boutaris following last November?s local elections.

Boutaris accused Papageorgopoulos of providing inaccurate financial figures when he took over at City Hall.