HARRISBURG, PA — A former Western Pennsylvania Ukrainian Catholic priest faces multiple felony charges after state investigators accused him of misappropriating more than $740,000 involving churches, church-related entities and his elderly mother, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Authorities identified the defendant as Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, who now lives in Florida. Madeya was arrested Friday in Vero Beach and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.
The Attorney General’s Office alleges Madeya’s conduct dates to 2018 and involved money belonging to churches and the Knights of Columbus, as well as funds belonging to his mother, who investigators determined had reached an age when she could no longer manage her own finances.
During the multi-year investigation, witnesses from the church community reported missing collection money, fundraising proceeds, donations, rent payments and church-related fees that allegedly were never deposited into church accounts, according to investigators.
Authorities also reported finding messages and photographs related to narcotics on Madeya’s electronic devices, along with images of debit cards and banking documents connected to St. John the Baptist. Agents allegedly found several church-offering collection envelopes in Madeya’s trash.
Investigators also interviewed a jeweler who reported that Madeya, allegedly acting as a church representative, sought to sell a gold chalice. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the jeweler purchased the chalice for $19,440 believing the money would benefit the church.
During the period covered by the investigation, Madeya also allegedly made a $35,433.58 cash purchase of a 2018 Ford Mustang that was given to a man living with him, authorities reported.
Investigators separately allege Madeya abused his position as his mother’s power of attorney and diverted money intended for her care. According to the Attorney General’s Office, his mother was evicted from multiple nursing facilities because payments were not made.
In total, authorities accuse Madeya of fraudulently misappropriating $319,997.03 from church-related individuals and entities and more than $230,000 from his mother’s investment accounts. Investigators also allege he failed to meet a resulting tax obligation of $248,663.43.
Madeya is charged with felony dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, and access device fraud.
Agent Molly Galitzia of the Bureau of Narcotics Investigations investigated the case. Chief Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte of the Financial Crime Section is prosecuting.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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