George Tsakopoulos

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - George Tsakopoulos, a prominent Sacramento developer who was part of a family that financially supported Democratic candidates, died Monday. He was 82. Brooks Erickson, the general manager of his company, confirmed that Tsakopoulos died after battling lung cancer. The native of Greece began investing in Northern California real estate with his brothers after coming to the U.S. in 1955. His family built office towers that changed the capital city's skyline and developed neighborhoods. Tsakopoulos family members are among California's largest Democratic donors. They helped bankroll the failed 2006 gubernatorial bid of Democrat Phil Angelides. George's niece, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, was a Democratic fundraiser during the 2008 presidential campaign.