A former priest with the Ukrainian Catholic Church has been charged with stealing over $740,000 from churches, the Knights of Columbus and his own mother.
Gregory Allen Madeya, a 69-year-old Florida resident, was charged with crimes committed in Pennsylvania, including financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft by unlawful taking, and access device fraud.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday announcing Madeya’s arrest that the former priest was awaiting extradition to the Keystone State.
According to authorities, Madeya began stealing money from various entities in 2018, including more than $230,000 from his mother, who was incapable of handling her own finances.
Madeya served as his mother’s power of attorney. During that time, his alleged thefts from her accounts led to her being evicted from multiple nursing homes for lack of payment.
Investigators learned of missing donations and rent payments that were never deposited into church accounts. Authorities also found numerous church collection envelopes in Madeya’s trash.
During the alleged theft period, Madeya bought a 2018 Ford Mustang for about $35,400 and gave the car to a man who lived with him. Investigators also spoke with a jeweler who said he purchased a gold chalice from Madeya for over $19,000, believing the money would help church finances.
Madeya is facing charges of fraudulently misappropriating $319,997.03 from multiple church-related entities, taking more than $230,000 from his mother’s investment accounts and failing to pay the resulting tax obligation of $248,663.43.
“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.”
Three Pennsylvania churches affected by Madeya’s alleged criminal conduct — St. John the Baptist in McKeesport, St. Demetrius in Jeanette, and Assumption of the Mother of God in Latrobe — are overseen by the Ukrainian Catholic Church Eparchy of St. Josaphat, based in Parma, Ohio.
Church officials issued a statement to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, saying they were “saddened to inform the faithful” of the criminal charges against Madeya.
“As victims of Fr. Greg’s alleged theft, the Bishop, clergy and staff of the Eparchy have fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to cooperate with the authorities. Fr. Madeya was suspended from his priestly duties on February 8, 2024,” they explained.
“The Eparchy will work diligently to recover any funds entrusted to Fr. Madeya that were lost. As matters develop, the Eparchy will keep its parishioners informed. In the meantime, we ask for prayers for all those harmed by Fr. Madeya’s actions.”
