Story perspectives

Columbia Professor Accused of Swindling $1.3M from Vulnerable Patient

4/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Dr. Maria Karayiorgou, Columbia psychiatry professor, allegedly swindled Frank Watrous Hamilton III of $1.3 million for a Greek home.
Hamilton's family filed a lawsuit describing him as vulnerable after a 2018 stroke.
The suit alleges Karayiorgou exploited his condition to pressure him to fund the purchase.
Hamilton died in January 2025, and his family discovered the wire transfers.
Karayiorgou is Acting Chief of Medical Genetics at Columbia and has not commented.

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Story summary

Dr. Maria Karayiorgou, Columbia psychiatry professor, allegedly swindled Frank Watrous Hamilton III of $1.3 million for a Greek home.
Hamilton's family filed a lawsuit describing him as vulnerable after a 2018 stroke.
The suit alleges Karayiorgou exploited his condition to pressure him to fund the purchase.
Hamilton died in January 2025, and his family discovered the wire transfers.
Karayiorgou is Acting Chief of Medical Genetics at Columbia and has not commented.