Greek-American businessman John Catsimatidis questioned the circumstances surrounding the removal of Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece, suggesting the decision was politically motivated because it came just three weeks before the November midterm elections.
Speaking to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, Catsimatidis praised Guilfoyle’s performance in Athens but said he did not know whether she had committed any wrongdoing.
Catsimatidis Disputes Financial Allegations
Catsimatidis also addressed a Wall Street Journal report concerning messages allegedly showing that Guilfoyle requested $100,000 from Republican donor Eric Deters to settle an American Express debt.
According to Catsimatidis, Guilfoyle denied the allegations during a conversation with him.
“She told me it was all lies,” he said.
Catsimatidis said Guilfoyle specifically denied receiving money through American Express and maintained that Deters owed her money from their previous professional relationship.
“She told me that no money ever went into American Express,” Catsimatidis said.
Guilfoyle Claims She Was Owed $150,000
According to Catsimatidis, Guilfoyle told him she had assisted Deters during his campaign for governor of Kentucky and that he owed her approximately $150,000 for work she had performed.
“She told me she had been helping this man since he was running for governor of Kentucky and that he owed her $150,000,” Catsimatidis said.
He added that Guilfoyle had repeatedly sought payment for her services.
“He owed her the money from when she was working with him and he wasn’t paying her. She kept saying, ‘Pay me, pay me,'” Catsimatidis said.
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