A Pennsylvania priest has been charged after authorities alleged he embezzled more than $740,000 from churches, affiliated religious organizations — and even his own mother.
Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, was taken into custody last month in Vero Beach, Florida, before being extradited to Pennsylvania to face the accusations.
According to investigators, Madeya is a former Ukrainian Catholic priest, and the alleged theft scheme dates back to 2018.
Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, is accused by investigators of stealing money from churches, parishioners and his own mother. (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
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He served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township, according to the Latrobe Bulletin.
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Madeya allegedly stole from various churches and the Knights of Columbus as well as “nearly $250,000 from his mother, who was of the age when she could not manage her own finances,” the attorney general’s office said.
Following a lengthy investigation, detectives uncovered that Madeya allegedly fraudulently misappropriated nearly $320,000 from churches and donors.
Madeya reportedly served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township. (Google Maps)
He also allegedly sold one church’s gold chalice to a local jeweler for $19,440 personal gain. Investigators allege he also used church funds to buy a $35,000 Mustang for someone living with him.
In his trash, investigators said they found church offering collection envelopes. Narcotics messages and photos of bank documents were also uncovered on Madeya’s electronic devices.
The Pennsylvania State Attorney General said investigators found messages and photos related to narcotics as well as photographs of debit cards and bank documents related to his church, St. John the Baptist, on Madeya’s electronic devices. (Google Maps)
He appeared in court Wednesday in Jeanette, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, and waived his preliminary hearing, opting to take the case directly to court, court documents reveal.
In a statement, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said, “It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother. This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses.”
Madeya is charged with felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, and financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, among others.
News Media has reached out to St. Josaphat Eparchy, which oversees Ukrainian Catholic churches, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church.
News Media also reached out to Madeya’s attorney for comment.