Details of the Arrest

Law enforcement authorities have apprehended Gregory Allen Madeya, a former priest from Pennsylvania, following allegations of a multi-year financial fraud scheme. The 69-year-old was taken into custody on August 14 in Vero Beach, Florida, as confirmed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Madeya faces a series of serious criminal charges, including felony dealing in proceeds of illegal activity, multiple counts of theft, financial exploitation of an elderly individual, and access device fraud.


The Scope of the Financial Fraud

According to investigators, the illicit activities began in 2018. A comprehensive inquiry revealed that significant sums of money intended for religious institutions were never processed correctly. Witnesses reported that various financial inflows failed to reach official church accounts, specifically noting missing:

  • Sunday collection proceeds
  • Funds generated from fundraising events
  • Donations and parish-related fees
  • Rental income

Among the evidence gathered, investigators discovered that Madeya sold a gold chalice belonging to St. John the Baptist parish to a local jeweler for nearly $19,500, falsely claiming the proceeds would bolster church finances. Furthermore, authorities noted that during the time of the alleged thefts, Madeya used cash to purchase a 2018 Ford Mustang valued at over $35,000.


Exploitation of Family Ties

The investigation further alleged that the former priest’s misconduct extended to his own family. Authorities assert that Madeya diverted more than $230,000 from his mother’s investment accounts. This theft led to severe consequences for his parent, who faced eviction from multiple assisted living facilities because of the missing funds. Investigators determined that Madeya had misused his authority as his mother’s power of attorney to deplete assets meant for her long-term care.


Official Response

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday addressed the gravity of the situation in a formal statement:

“It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother. This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses.”

The prosecution is being handled by Chief Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte. As of now, it remains unclear whether the defendant has entered a formal plea or secured legal representation regarding these charges.