Former priest accused of stealing $740,000 from churches and mother

Gregory Allen Madeya, a 69-year-old former Ukrainian Catholic priest, has been arrested in Florida and faces extradition to Pennsylvania on multiple felony charges involving the misappropriation of over $740,000.

Investigators allege that the fraud, which began around 2018, targeted several religious entities, including parishes such as St. John the Baptist, St. Demetrius, and Assumption of the Mother of God, as well as the Knights of Columbus. Evidence includes missing collection money, fundraising proceeds, and church-related fees that were allegedly never deposited into parish accounts. Authorities also reported finding church offering envelopes in Madeya’s trash and noted that a jeweler was approached to purchase a gold chalice under the guise of benefiting the church.

In addition to church funds, Madeya is accused of abusing his power of attorney to divert more than $230,000 from his elderly mother’s accounts. This financial exploitation reportedly left her unable to pay nursing home bills, resulting in her eviction from care facilities. Prosecutors also noted a significant unpaid tax obligation of approximately $248,663 stemming from the illicit gains. Among the alleged personal expenditures was the $35,433 purchase of a 2018 Ford Mustang, which was reportedly given to a man living with Madeya.