Former Western Pennsylvania priest Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, was arrested in Vero Beach, Florida, and is accused of stealing more than $740,000 from churches, Catholic organizations and his elderly mother. Authorities allege nearly $320,000 was taken from church-related accounts and over $230,000 was diverted from his mother's investments, with unpaid tax liabilities exceeding $248,000. Investigators report evidence including the sale of a church chalice, a cash car purchase, photographs of bank documents and church offering envelopes. The state Financial Crime Section will handle the prosecution.
Former Pennsylvania Priest Arrested, Accused Of Stealing Over $740,000 From Churches And His Mother
Gregory Allen MadeyaCredit: Indian River County Sherriff's Office
A former Western Pennsylvania Catholic priest, Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, was arrested on Aug. 14 in Vero Beach, Florida, and is accused of misappropriating more than $740,000 from multiple churches, Catholic organizations and his elderly mother, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General confirmed.
Charges And Allegations
Madeya faces several criminal counts, including dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft by unlawful taking, financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, and access device fraud. The alleged misconduct dates back to 2018 and was uncovered during a multi-year investigation by the attorney general's office.
Gregory Allen MadeyaCredit: Indian River County Sherriff's Office
Alleged Financial Misconduct
According to the attorney general's release, investigators allege Madeya fraudulently misappropriated nearly $320,000 from church-related individuals and entities, including a Pennsylvania chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Church members reported missing collection money, donations, fundraising receipts, rent and other church fees that were never deposited into church accounts.
Investigators say Madeya sold a gold chalice while presenting himself as a representative of his former parish, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The jeweler who purchased the chalice paid $19,440, believing the funds would benefit the church.
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in McKeesport, Penn.Credit: Google Maps
The attorney general's office also alleges Madeya made a cash purchase of a 2018 Ford Mustang for $35,433 during the period of the alleged thefts; the vehicle was reportedly given to the man living with him. Investigators reportedly recovered messages and photographs linked to narcotics activity, images of debit cards and bank documents associated with St. John the Baptist, and several church-offering collection envelopes in his trash.
Allegations Involving His Mother
Beyond the church-related allegations, prosecutors say Madeya stole more than $230,000 from his mother's investment accounts and failed to satisfy related tax liabilities — the release values the unpaid tax responsibility at over $248,000. Investigators found that Madeya, acting as his mother's power of attorney, diverted funds intended for her care, which led to her eviction from multiple nursing home facilities because payments were not made.
A photo of a Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office police carCredit: Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office Facebook
“It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses.”
As of Sept. 8, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General told PEOPLE there were no additional updates on the case. The Financial Crime Section will prosecute the case, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte.
Note: These are allegations. Madeya is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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