Former Ukrainian Catholic priest accused of stealing over $740,000 from churches and his mother
Gregory Allen Madeya, a 69-year-old ex-priest, has been charged in Pennsylvania with stealing more than $740,000 from churches, a Knights of Columbus chapter and his elderly mother.
Prosecutors say former Ukrainian Catholic priest Gregory Allen Madeya orchestrated a multi-year theft scheme that began in 2018, siphoning roughly $740,000 from multiple church entities, the Knights of Columbus, and his own mother. Investigators uncovered that he diverted about $320,000 from church donations, sold a gold chalice for $19,440, and spent $35,000 of church funds on a Mustang for a co-resident. Evidence from his trash included church offering envelopes, while his electronic devices held narcotics-related messages and bank documents.
Madeya was arrested in Vero Beach, Florida, extradited to Pennsylvania, and appeared in a court in Jeanette, where he waived a preliminary hearing to proceed straight to trial. Attorney General Dave Sunday condemned the alleged exploitation of both religious institutions and an older adult.
Why it matters
The case highlights severe financial abuse within trusted religious organizations and raises concerns about oversight of church funds.
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