Report: Alexi Giannoulias aide helped get teen into University of Illinois

When a politically connected Greek Orthodox priest wanted help getting the daughter of a family friend into the University of Illinois, he reached out to a campaign adviser to state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

Giannoulias' political director came through, getting the applicant into the university's secret admissions system for students with clout, and she was plucked from her spot on the university's waiting list and admitted.

According to a published report, a campaign adviser to state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO'-lee-ehs) helped a politically connected applicant get in to the University of Illinois.

The Chicago Tribune reported Friday that the applicant had ties to a politically connected Greek Orthodox priest.

The Rev. Alexander Karloutsos says he reached out to Giannoulias adviser Endy Zemenides. He, in turn, e-mailed a university provost in February 2008 on the student's behalf.

Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias became the target of a dirty campaign as he moves on to his bid for the U.S. Senate. Local Chicago daily “Chicago Tribune” is trying to involve the 33 year old Greek American in a case of intervention in favor of a Greek American student, to be accepted in the University of Illinois.

There has been no communication between Alexi Giannoulias and the University of Illinois, but according to the Chicago Tribune, “internal campus documents released last week, show that Giannoulias' adviser Endy Zemenides sent information about the student to U. of I. Provost Linda Katehi (also a Greek American) in February 2008. He e-mailed from his law office, but copied his "Alexi for Illinois" campaign address on the exchange.”