Latest news with #Moraitis
Sydney Morning Herald
24-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Broken and destroyed': Mother denied final goodbye at daughter's funeral
This story contains graphic imagery. The day Helen Moraitis was entombed, she was supposed to be buried with her favourite flowers in her hands, gold jewellery adorning her body, and dressed in black clothing. Instead, a court has heard, her mother, Teresa Moraitis, was 'broken and destroyed' to discover her daughter had been buried naked inside a blue plastic body bag. There was no jewellery or flowers, her body was riddled with maggots and flies, and the lining of her casket was ripped. Moraitis detailed the state of her daughter's remains during testimony on Thursday in the Supreme Court of Victoria during a defamation trial launched by funeral director Peter Tziotzis. Tziotzis is suing The Age and A Current Affair for defamation over news reports made when Helen's family had her body exhumed. Helen was 57 years old when she died in her sleep on June 27, 2022. Loading Soon after her death Moraitis, who was then 81 years old, hired funeral director Peter Tziotzis and his company, Melbourne Orthodox Funeral Services, to carry out a traditional Greek Orthodox funeral and a trisagion – a viewing usually held the night before the funeral. At a meeting on July 2, Moraitis said she specified to Tziotzis she wanted Helen's body to be embalmed, and for there to be an open casket at the funeral. She also handed over black clothing and gold jewellery for Helen to be dressed and buried in.
The Age
24-04-2025
- The Age
‘Broken and destroyed': Mother denied final goodbye at daughter's funeral
This story contains graphic imagery. The day Helen Moraitis was entombed, she was supposed to be buried with her favourite flowers in her hands, gold jewellery adorning her body, and dressed in black clothing. Instead, a court has heard, her mother, Teresa Moraitis, was 'broken and destroyed' to discover her daughter had been buried naked inside a blue plastic body bag. There was no jewellery or flowers, her body was riddled with maggots and flies, and the lining of her casket was ripped. Moraitis detailed the state of her daughter's remains during testimony on Thursday in the Supreme Court of Victoria during a defamation trial launched by funeral director Peter Tziotzis. Tziotzis is suing The Age and A Current Affair for defamation over news reports made when Helen's family had her body exhumed. Helen was 57 years old when she died in her sleep on June 27, 2022. Loading Soon after her death Moraitis, who was then 81 years old, hired funeral director Peter Tziotzis and his company, Melbourne Orthodox Funeral Services, to carry out a traditional Greek Orthodox funeral and a trisagion – a viewing usually held the night before the funeral. At a meeting on July 2, Moraitis said she specified to Tziotzis she wanted Helen's body to be embalmed, and for there to be an open casket at the funeral. She also handed over black clothing and gold jewellery for Helen to be dressed and buried in.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican Moraitis matches Democrat Moskowitz in early money raised for Florida's hottest 2026 Congress race
In his first four weeks as a candidate in Florida's most competitive congressional district, Republican George Moraitis raised almost as much as incumbent U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz took in during the first three months of the year. Moraitis raised $152,369 over 29 days in March, according to his first campaign finance report. That works out to about $5,254 a day. Moskowitz raised $168,960 during the first quarter, which works out to $1,877 a day. 'That's strong for the first month and a first-time congressional candidate,' said Sean Foreman, a political scientist at Barry University. Still, Moraitis has a lot more fundraising ahead to have hope of defeating the Democratic incumbent. And Moskowitz will have to raise much more to fend off the Republican challenge. The August 2026 primary and November general election in the Broward-Palm Beach county 23rd Congressional District will help determine if Republicans or Democrats control the House of Representatives after the midterm elections. 'I thought we did outstanding,' Moraitis said. 'We had lots of support from a lot of good friends and family. We're very excited to have the kind of support that we did.' Moskowitz's campaign pushed for more donations in recent days. In a Wednesday night email blast, the congressman told supporters he's being kept awake at night by the challenge. 'Republicans have a target on my back because they know that my race is one of the most competitive in the country, and my MAGA opponents are getting ready to spend whatever it takes to defeat me,' he wrote. 'But my campaign isn't propped up by billionaires. It's powered by folks like you chipping in what you can, when you can.' Raised: Moskowitz raised $123,000 from individual contributors and $46,000 from political action committees and a member of Congress. Moraitis raised $146,800 from individual contributors and $4,000 from one PAC and a member of Congress. Spending: Moskowitz spent significantly more than Moraitis — just under $111,000 — during the quarter, which is typical for incumbents. His spending included political consulting and political staff, as well as travel and fundraising expenses. Moraitis spent just under $9,000. Cash on hand: Moskowitz had $392,500 in his campaign account as of March 31, the report showed. Moraitis had $253,400 in the bank. Moskowitz ended the quarter with more cash on hand than Moraitis because he started the year with $349,000 in the bank after his 2024 campaign. The Republican started with a zero balance when he announced his candidacy on March 3. Both candidates' March 31 totals reflect money they've lent to their own campaigns. The Moskowitz campaign still owes $100,700 to the candidate for money he put into his first congressional effort in 2022. So far, his campaign has repaid $199,300 of the money Moskowitz lent his campaign in 2022. Moraitis lent his campaign $111,000 as it got underway last month. Candidate loans to their campaigns in early stages show potential donors that they are committed to the race, with skin in the game. And it helps show, especially early on, a higher campaign balance, which can act as a deterrent for others to enter the race. Sometimes the loans stay on the books for years. Sometimes they're repaid as more campaign donations come in. Challenger raises 18 times as much campaign money as Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Former Republican lawmaker George Moraitis announces challenge to Congressman Jared Moskowitz Congressional Republicans eye Jared Moskowitz as Democrat they might be able to beat 'Grave concerns': Don't threaten Social Security phone lines, Moskowitz urges Congressman Randy Fine says it's 'troubling' that two Republicans DeSantis recently criticized are both Jewish Moskowitz, Donalds seek independence for embattled FEMA to improve it Money is only one part of the political calculation in the 23rd District, which takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale and a share of southern Palm Beach County. Foreman said he had no doubt both would have enough money to run credible campaigns. 'I would expect that Moraitis is going to raise a lot more money this summer,' Foreman said. 'I don't think the problem is going to be raising money for Moskowitz. He can raise money. His name recognition has grown in recent years. The concern for him is some Democrats think he's too cozy with Republicans.' Moskowitz is seeking a third term. He's a former Parkland city commissioner and former appointed state emergency management director and appointed Broward County commissioner. Moraitis is different from the previous Republican nominees. He is a former four-term state representative from an East Broward district that includes territory that's in the congressional district. Democrats are optimistic partly because the first midterm election after a presidential election is usually good for the party that doesn't control the White House. Republicans are optimistic because Florida, including the 23rd Congressional District, has become more Republican. In both the 2022 and 2024 elections, Moskowitz won by the smallest margin of any congressional race in the state. Just how competitive is the district? The partisan voting index from the Cook Political Report rates the district as D plus 2, which means it performed 2 points more Democratic than the nation during the past two presidential contests. That represents a shift toward the Republicans as all of Florida, including parts of the traditionally Democratic 23rd District, has moved to the right. After the 2020 presidential election and before last year's voting, the partisan voting index was D plus 5. A separate Cook Political Report analysis of the midterm election outlook rates the 23rd District as the only 'potentially competitive' Democratic-held district in the state at this point in the election cycle. National Republicans didn't devote money or attention to the 23rd District in 2022 or 2024. For 2026, the National Republican Congressional Committee has Moskowitz on its list of 26 Democrats it is targeting for defeat. 'This is the only seat in Florida which is competitive in terms of a chance for Republicans to pick up a seat in the House. There may only be 30 to 40 seats in the House nationwide that may be competitive,' Moraitis said. And national Republicans are taking Moraitis seriously as a candidate. Earlier this month, he met in Washington, D.C., with members of Congress, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and political staffers for Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House. 'We've had good meetings with leadership in the House, and they're very enthusiastic about the campaign in terms of this is going to be a strategic race,' Moraitis said. 'They're very excited about how well we started.' If Moraitis wins the primary, Foreman said, 'that's going to be one of the nationally focused congressional races.' Three other Republicans, who've collectively run for Congress nine times before, have also said they're running for their party's nomination in the 23rd District. Raven Harrison: Raised $7,100 and spent $27,900. She also reported outstanding loans of $270,000. Harrison ended the quarter with $249,300 in cash. Harrison received 5.5% of the vote in a Texas congressional primary 2022, finishing last in a five-candidate race. She describes herself online as 'The Conservative Warrior.' Joe Kaufman: Raised $40,900 and spent $1,100. He started the quarter with $62,800 in cash on hand and ended the quarter with a cash balance of $102,600. He has debts, including loans to himself, totaling $89,900, from previous candidacies. Kaufman was the unsuccessful 2024 nominee against Moskowitz and previously ran for Congress in 2018, 2016, 2014 and 2012. He also unsuccessfully ran for state House of Representatives in 1990 and 2000. Kaufman is a counter-terrorism researcher, writer and lecturer. Darlene Cerezo Swaffar: Raised $3,925 and spent $3,200. Her cash on hand was $907. She reports owing debt of $21,000 to herself from her previous candidacy. Swaffar lost three Republican primaries for Congress, in 2020, 2022 and 2024. She runs a Medicare health insurance brokerage firm. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@ and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Republican lawmaker George Moraitis announces challenge to Congressman Jared Moskowitz
Former state Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, said Monday he is running for Congress, seeking to unseat two-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz. 'I have served my entire life in public service in the community. I just felt led to do this at this time,' Moraitis said in a telephone interview. 'I really do want to see a better Washington. I do want to restore the American Dream for our citizens and protect our God-given freedoms. (Those) really are the reasons I'm running.' Moraitis served in the state House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, when he was prevented from running for reelection because of term limits. He is also a former Broward Republican Party chair, picked to take over the county party in 2018 and helping stabilize an organization that was marked by infighting. Moraitis was an early and enthusiastic supporter of President Donald Trump, dating back to a time before the president's first term when some other Republican leaders were skeptical of his candidacy. His support hasn't wavered. 'I'm happy to see the cutting of waste, fraud and abuse,' he said. 'There's been a lot of pushback and that's why he needs as much support as he can get up in Washington,' Moraitis said. Among the issues Moraitis said he would focus on are strong borders, national defense, and an economy that rewards hard work and innovation. 'We want to support the Republican agenda.' He said he was glad to see the House Republican budget passed — but pointed to its narrow margin in a chamber where his party has only a slim majority. If Moraitis won, he would be flipping District 23 from Democratic to Republican. 'The seat has become much more competitive in the last few years,' Moraitis said Monday. 'We're getting a lot more conservative in our area.' Politics | South Florida's Jared Moskowitz says he won't become Trump's FEMA chief. 'I am staying in Congress.' Politics | Broward Republicans pick lawmaker George Moraitis as new party chairman Politics | 'Didn't sign up to be ICE': Broward, Palm Beach sheriffs say immigration law won't alter what they're already doing Politics | Casey DeSantis, appearing with her husband the governor, coy about whether she'll run Politics | Democrat Pizzo, edging closer to run for Florida governor, sees Republican Donalds candidacy as irrelevant Politics | 17 local elections in Broward and Palm Beach county coming in March. What voters need to know. He attributes that partially to the influx of people who moved to South Florida during and after the COVID pandemic. 'People are starting to see the Republican policies are the right ones. 'We are getting a lot more conservative in our area.' Moraitis said he hasn't yet spoken to House Speaker Mike Johnson or to U.S. Rep. Rich Hudson of North Carolina, chair of the House Republican Congressional Committee, the party campaign organization for House candidates. Moraitis, 54, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Navy veteran is a real estate lawyer who was born and raised in the district. He considered running for Congress in 2022, but opted against it. His wife, Heather Moratis, was a Fort Lauderdale city commissioner from 2018 through 2022. 'As a former state legislator, I've seen firsthand how the government can be a force for good — but also how it can fall short. It's time to bring new leadership to Washington that's willing to make tough decisions and put the interests of our citizens first,' Moraitis said. Moskowitz is a former state legislator and former Parkland city commissioner. He was appointed as state emergency management director and to fill a vacancy on the Broward County Commission by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He won his first congressional election in 2022 after longtime U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch opted against running for reelection so he could become CEO of the American Jewish Committee. Moskowitz won his two congressional elections by the smallest margins of any House victory in the state. He received 52.5% of the vote in November, two years after he won his first term in the House with 51.6% of the vote. Both times his victories were closer than other races that had been on the priority lists of the Democratic and Republican national congressional campaign committees. Joe Kaufman, the 2024 nominee against Moskowitz, who narrowly lost, has already announced he plans to seek the 2026 nomination. Kaufman had previously run several times in a different congressional district, against U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston. The Moskowitz-held 23rd Congressional District takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale and a share of southern Palm Beach County. The potential for a Republican to make gains in the Broward part of the district is key. Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in the smaller Palm Beach County part of the district. Moskowitz lost Palm Beach County in both 2022 and 2024. He won both times on the strength of Democratic voters in Broward. Even as South Florida becomes more Republican, it would be a mistake to count out Moskowitz. In 2022 and 2024 he did better than the Democratic candidates for president or governor at the top of the ticket did in his district. In November, Trump lost the district by 2 percentage points, and in 2022 DeSantis won it by 1 percentage point, showing the territory is competitive. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@ and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cosmos Health Strengthens Management Team with the Appointment of Veteran Executive Dimitris Moraitis as Vice President of Strategy & Operations
CHICAGO, IL / / February 10, 2025 / Cosmos Health Inc. ("Cosmos Health" or the "Company'') (NASDAQ:COSM), a diversified, vertically integrated global healthcare group engaged in innovative R&D, owner of proprietary pharmaceutical and nutraceutical brands, manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, and operator of a telehealth platform, announced today the appointment of Dimitris Moraitis as Vice President of Strategy & Operations. Mr. Moraitis brings over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, operations, and business development within the pharmaceutical sector. In his new role, he will be responsible for driving strategic initiatives and optimizing operational processes to support Cosmos Health's mission of delivering innovative pharmaceutical solutions globally. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Moraitis has held key leadership positions at major pharmaceutical companies, including DEMO, MENARINI, the VIANEX Group, and TIKUN OLAM Europe. He has played a pivotal role in shaping industry strategies and driving business growth in the pharmaceutical sector. In addition, Mr. Moraitis has served as both a leader and board member of several prominent pharmaceutical associations, including AESGP (Association of the European Self-Care Industry), the leading European association representing manufacturers of non-prescription medicines, food supplements, and self-care medical devices; ΕfEX (Hellenic Association of Self-Care Products), the Greek association promoting self-care solutions and OTC healthcare products; SEPTΕDE (Association of Enterprises for Infant Nutrition & Special Dietary Products of Greece), focusing on the regulation and development of infant nutrition and special dietary products; and SAFFE (Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Enterprises & Representatives), an influential organization representing pharmaceutical enterprises and their contributions to the Greek market. Dimitris Moraitis expressed his enthusiasm about joining Cosmos Health: "I am honored to be part of Cosmos, a company dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical innovation. Greg Siokas is a visionary leader with a forward-thinking approach, and I look forward to applying my experience to support the Company's growth strategy and contribute to the development of innovative solutions that enhance patient care worldwide." Greg Siokas, CEO of Cosmos Health, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Dimitris to our management team. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the pharmaceutical industry make him an invaluable addition. I have absolute confidence in his ability to lead our strategic and operational initiatives as we continue to expand our global footprint." About Cosmos Health Inc. Cosmos Health Inc. (Nasdaq:COSM), incorporated in 2009 in Nevada, is a diversified, vertically integrated global healthcare group. The Company owns a portfolio of proprietary pharmaceutical and nutraceutical brands, including Sky Premium Life®, Mediterranation®, bio-bebe®, C-Sept® and C-Scrub®. Through its subsidiary Cana Laboratories S.A., licensed under European Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), it manufactures pharmaceuticals, food supplements, cosmetics, biocides, and medical devices within the European Union. Cosmos Health also distributes a broad line of pharmaceuticals and parapharmaceuticals, including branded generics and OTC medications, to retail pharmacies and wholesale distributors through its subsidiaries in Greece and the UK. Furthermore, the Company has established R&D partnerships targeting major health disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer, enhanced by artificial intelligence drug repurposing technologies, and focuses on the R&D of novel patented nutraceuticals, specialized root extracts, proprietary complex generics, and innovative OTC products. Cosmos Health has also entered the telehealth space through the acquisition of ZipDoctor, Inc., based in Texas, USA. With a global distribution platform, the Company is currently expanding throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, and has offices and distribution centers in Thessaloniki and Athens, Greece, and in Harlow, UK. More information is available at as well as LinkedIn and X. Forward-Looking Statements With the exception of the historical information contained in this news release, the matters described herein, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements preceded by, followed by, or that otherwise, include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would," "may" and "could", are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. These statements, involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may individually or materially impact the matters discussed, herein for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to raise sufficient financing to implement its business plan, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, on the Company's business, operations and the economy in general, and the Company's ability to successfully develop and commercialize its proprietary products and technologies. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, as actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's website ( The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update, or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: BDG Communicationscosm@ 207 0971 653 SOURCE: Cosmos Health Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
