# Konstantinos Firinidis jailed in NGO charity fraud scandal > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/alleged-fraud-involving-paidiki-chara-ngo > Updated: 2026-11-06T14:12:48.000Z. Sources: 48. Developments: 7. Konstantinos Firinidis, the founder of the Greek NGO Paidiki Chara, has been ordered into pretrial detention by a judge in Thessaloniki. He faces charges of embezzling approximately 2.9 million euros that were collected through donations intended for families with sick children. During interrogation, Firinidis expressed remorse and claimed his actions were driven by a severe addiction to online gambling, stating he placed up to 30 bets daily. While he admitted to a sense of megalomania and a desire to appear socially superior, he disputed the scale of the embezzlement. He argued that the amount not distributed to beneficiaries was between 400,000 and 600,000 euros, rather than the 2.9 million euros cited in the indictment. His partner, Vasiliki Manisioti, was previously detained. She has denied the charges as described, alleging the missing funds do not exceed 900,000 euros and shifting responsibility to Firinidis, whom she claims spent the money on gambling. Investigators allege the couple targeted vulnerable families within pediatric oncology hospitals using emotional manipulation to solicit donations. Recent developments include the resignation of lawyer Konstantinos Tsakos, who represented both Firinidis and Manisioti. Tsakos cited disagreements regarding defense strategy and its public expression following their testimonies before the investigating magistrate. From custody, Firinidis gave a provocative interview, claiming his use of association funds was intended as a loan to help families facing financial difficulties and asserting that he intended to return the money. ## Claims - Konstantinos Firinidis is accused of embezzling 2.9 million euros from the NGO Paidiki Chara. (reported by 9 sources) - Manisioti claimed the missing amount does not exceed 900,000 euros. (reported by 4 sources) - Firinidis claimed he was addicted to online gambling. (reported by 9 sources) - Vasiliki Manisioti was ordered into pretrial detention. (reported by 6 sources) - Firinidis admitted to the embezzlement during his interrogation. (reported by 6 sources) - Firinidis stated that between 400,000 and 600,000 euros were not distributed to beneficiaries. (reported by 5 sources) - Manisioti alleged that Firinidis spent the missing money on gambling. (reported by 5 sources) - Firinidis denied involvement in rigged football matches. (reported by 3 sources) - The NGO collected a total of 3.9 million euros through at least 92 fundraising actions. (reported by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-06: Greek Minister Chrysochoidis addresses NGO fraud investigation Greek Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis announced that authorities have dismantled a criminal group that allegedly used an NGO to misappropriate donations intended for sick children. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-minister-chrysochoidis-addresses-ngo-fraud-investigation ### 2026-11-06: Lawyer resigns in Paidiki Chara embezzlement case Lawyer Konstantinos Tsakos has resigned from representing the accused leaders of the NGO Paidiki Chara following disagreements over their defense strategy in a 2.9 million euro embezzlement case. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lawyer-resigns-in-paidiki-chara-embezzlement-case ### 2026-11-05: Konstantinos Firinidis jailed for embezzling NGO donations Konstantinos Firinidis, founder of the NGO 'Paidiki Chara', was jailed for allegedly embezzling 2.9 million euros in donations meant for sick children, citing gambling addiction as his motive. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konstantinos-firinidis-sent-to-prison-over-ngo-embezzlement-allegations ### 2026-11-05: Greek influencer Ioanna Touni speaks out on NGO fraud investigation Influencer Ioanna Touni has identified herself as a victim of the NGO “Paidiki Chara” fraud investigation, expressing outrage that funds intended for sick children were allegedly misappropriated. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-influencer-ioanna-touni-speaks-out-on-ngo-fraud-investigation ### 2026-11-05: Stathis Schizas alleges fraud by NGO Paidiki Chara Stathis Schizas has accused the NGO Paidiki Chara of operating a fraudulent scheme, alleging mismanagement of funds intended for charitable causes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/stathis-schizas-alleges-fraud-by-ngo-paidiki-chara ### 2026-11-03: Konstantinos Firinidis jailed in NGO charity fraud scandal Konstantinos Firinidis, founder of the NGO “Paidiki Chara,” has been jailed for allegedly embezzling 2.9 million euros in donations meant for sick children, citing gambling addiction as the cause. 23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/evangelia-moumouri-criticizes-ngo-paidiki-chara-over-alleged-fraud ### 2026-11-02: Giorgos Liagas denounces NGO allegations on ANT1 Presenter Giorgos Liagas condemned the NGO “Paidiki Chara” on ANT1, alleging the exploitation of terminally ill children for financial gain. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/giorgos-liagas-denounces-ngo-allegations-on-ant1 --- Cite as: Konstantinos Firinidis jailed in NGO charity fraud scandal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/alleged-fraud-involving-paidiki-chara-ngo