Ex-priest charged in nearly $750,000 theft spree targeting church groups and his mother, officials say

A Pennsylvania priest is facing charges after prosecutors say he stole over $740,000 from churches, church organizations, and his own mother.

Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, was detained last month in Vero Beach, Florida, and later extradited to Pennsylvania.

Investigators claim he is a former Ukrainian Catholic priest whose crimes began in 2018.

He worked at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township, according to the Latrobe Bulletin.

Madeya allegedly stole from many 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,” according to the attorney general’s office.

After a thorough investigation, detectives discovered that Madeya reportedly fraudulently stole over $320,000 from churches and donations.

He also allegedly sold a church’s gold chalice to a local jeweler for $19,440 in personal benefit. Investigators claim he also used church funds to purchase a $35,000 Mustang for someone he lives with.

Investigators discovered church collecting packets in his trash. Narcotics texts and images of bank documents were also found on Madeya’s electronic devices.

He appeared in court Wednesday in Jeanette, a tiny town outside of Pittsburgh, and waived his preliminary hearing, electing to proceed with the matter directly to court, according to court documents.

In a statement, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated, “It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploit not only the churches he served, but also his own mother.” This defendant abused the trust of those around him, leaving them to deal with massive financial losses.”

Madeya faces charges of felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, and financial exploitation of an elderly or care-dependent individual, among others.He is not allowed to serve as a priest or depict himself as one, according to attorney Robert G. Del Greco Jr.

In terms of the financial impact on the churches, Del Greco Jr. stated, “It has been a tremendous loss to the parishes. They continue to worship as they rebuild their finances, hoping for some form of insurance recompense.”

Del Greco Jr. stated that in order to prevent further financial crimes, every parish must submit a quarterly financial statement, including the bank statement and copies of the checks, for examination and review. These are assessed by the finance officer and chosen lay parishioners who are knowledgeable about finances.”