Melbourne lawyer John Velos appeals forgery conviction for $1.5m resort in Greece

·

Head of Melbourne-based firm Velos & Velos Lawyers, John Velos, will appeal a forgery conviction in a Greek court following a family legal dispute over the control of a $1.5 million hotel resort on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the Toorak lawyer, who has been a solicitor for over 40 years, was also the former mayor of the City of Prahran.

He was caught with allegedly committing forgery in Athens, Greece, earlier this year, which then led to a six-month prison sentence. 

His conviction stems from his actions in a family disagreement over the management of a Greek company that owns the Skoutari Beach Hotel, a seaside resort located roughly 250 kilometres southwest of Athens. It is valued at approximately $1.5 million (928,000 euros).

John Velos
Mr Velos has been a lawyer for over 40 years. Photo: Velos Criminal Lawyers.

Earlier this year, in February, he was found guilty of forgery in the Athens Court of Appeals, though he was acquitted of a separate charge related to the use of a forged document. 

He received a six-month prison sentence, valid for three years, and was ordered to pay €250 in court fees. 

These charges were brought against him in Greece mid-2020. Later that same year, Mr Velos made an unsuccessful bid for a seat as a councillor for the Stonnington City Council in Melbourne’s southeast.

Legal firm Landers & Rogers, who is representing Velos, said Velos denies any wrongdoing in the Greek criminal matter.

The firm said responsibility for the alleged criminal act instead rested with Velos’ Greek lawyer, who failed to correctly complete paperwork for the company that owned the hotel in 2017.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Back to Greece: Four journeys, one shared return

As the Back to Greece series closes, what remains is more than a collection of travel diaries - it’s a mosaic of memory and identity.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

Elena Pappas honoured with the 2025 Stephen Myall Award

At the Law Institute of Victoria’s annual awards ceremony in October 2025, Elena Pappas was recognised with the Stephen Myall Award.

‘Fertility and Filoxenia’: Empowering conversations on fertility and IVF options

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and Greek Community of Melbourne invite everyone to attend a free educational event on fertility.

You May Also Like

An evening of compassion: Jenny Souris Foundation Gala returns this October

The Jenny Souris Foundation is preparing to host its annual Gala on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, at Le Montage in Lilyfield, Sydney.

2nd Cretan Lifestyle Conference held in Greece with hands-on experiences

During the 2nd annual Cretan Lifestyle Conference, over 150 researchers gathered to experience one of the world’s healthiest lifestyles.

A real-life Eat, Pray, Love: As told by Anthi Preketes

I urge anyone standing at the precipice to ask themselves this: If you could will your dream life into existence, what would it be?