A Catholic priest from Pennsylvania, Gregory Allen Madeya, 69, is facing charges for allegedly stealing over $740,000 from three churches, parishioners, donors, and his own mother to fund drug use, pay for sex, and acquire luxury items. Prosecutors allege that Madeya, formerly of West Mifflin, embezzled approximately $320,000 from churches in Western Pennsylvania and $250,000 from his elderly mother, who was reportedly unable to manage her own finances.
Investigators claim that Madeya used some of the stolen funds, including cash from church collection envelopes, to purchase heroin to exchange for sex acts with men he met at hotels. He also allegedly used church funds for overseas vacations, cruises, and a $35,500 Ford Mustang, which he gifted to a man who later moved in with him.
According to reports, Madeya withdrew $75,000 from the general fund of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Derry Township between 2021 and 2022, where he served as priest. He was suspended from his duties at the church in February 2024. He is also accused of stealing from two other affiliated Ukrainian Catholic churches in nearby McKeesport and Jeannette. During one of these thefts, he allegedly took a gold chalice valued at $19,400.
A three-year investigation by authorities uncovered collection envelopes in Madeya's trash and images of debit cards and bank documents on his personal devices. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that Madeya abused the trust placed in him and caused significant financial losses to his victims.
Madeya was arrested in Vero Beach, Florida, on August 14 and has been extradited to Pennsylvania. He faces charges including theft, financial exploitation of an older adult, and fraud. His bail was set at $25,000, and he is scheduled to appear in court next month.