Crime
Former Priest Accused of Stealing Nearly $750K From Churches and His Own Mother
A Pennsylvania priest once trusted to lead his congregation is now accused of quietly draining its finances — along with his own mother’s savings — over several years.
Fox News reported on Tuesday, September 8, that Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, was arrested last month in Vero Beach, Florida, and has since been extradited back to Pennsylvania to face charges connected to an alleged theft scheme totaling nearly $750,000.
Investigators say the former Ukrainian Catholic priest’s conduct dates back to 2018, when he served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township.
Prosecutors allege Madeya stole from multiple churches and the Knights of Columbus, along with nearly $250,000 from his own mother, who authorities say was no longer able to manage her own finances, as per an official press release shared on August 17 by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.
Investigators say the church-related losses alone came to nearly $320,000.
Officials also allege Madeya sold a church’s gold chalice to a local jeweler for $19,440 in personal profit and used church funds to purchase a $35,000 Mustang for someone living with him.
During the investigation, agents said they found church offering envelopes in his trash, along with messages referencing narcotics and photos of bank documents on his electronic devices, per Fox News.
Madeya appeared in court on Wednesday in Jeannette and waived his preliminary hearing, opting to go directly to trial, according to court documents CBS News obtained for a September 3 report.
Attorney General Sunday didn’t mince words in an official statement on the case.
“It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother,” Sunday said. “This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses.”
Madeya faces felony charges including dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, and financial exploitation of an older adult.
According to CBS News, Madeya has not posted bail and remains in custody at the Westmoreland County Prison.
He will return to court at the Westmoreland County Courthouse on Wednesday, October 14.
