A Pennsylvania priest has been charged after authorities accused him of stealing more than $740,000 from churches, church-affiliated groups 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 allegations.
Investigators said Madeya is a former Ukrainian Catholic priest and that the alleged thefts began in 2018.
Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, is facing charges after investigators say he stole from churches, parishioners and his own mother. (Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
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According to the Latrobe Bulletin, Madeya served at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township.
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Prosecutors allege Madeya stole money from multiple churches and the Knights of Columbus, along with “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.
In an email sent to News Outlet, an attorney representing Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church confirmed Madeye has been suspended from priestly ministry.
“He is prohibited from serving in his capacity as a priest, nor present himself as a priest,” attorney Robert G. Del Greco Jr. said.
In regard to the financial impact on the churches, Del Greco Jr. said, “It has been a profound loss to the parishes. They continue to worship as they rebuild their finances in hopes that there will be some measure of insurance compensation.”
In an effort to prevent further possible financial crimes, Del Greco Jr. said, “Remedial measures include that every parish must submit a quarterly financial statement including the bank statement and copies of the checks for inspection and review. These are reviewed by the finance officer as well as designated lay parishioners with expertise in financial matters.”
News Outlet also reached out to the St. Josaphat Eparchy, which oversees Ukrainian Catholic churches.
News Outlet also reached out to Madeya’s attorney for comment.
