Nearly everyone knows "Thou Shalt Not Steal," even if they couldn't name all the Ten Commandments.
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A former priest apparently forgot that Eighth Commandment. He faces nearly a dozen felony charges after being accused of stealing nearly $750,000 from churchgoers, including his own mother.
The Former Priest Stole From His Own Mother
As reported by CBS News, Gregory Madeya was arrested on Friday, Sep. 4, in Vero Beach, Florida. After being suspended on Feb. 8, 2024, he apparently lived in the sunny locale for several years.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said the former clergy member is awaiting extradition. He faces charges related to an alleged theft totaling around $750,000.
"Madeya was someone who was supposed to be of great wisdom and integrity," said Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday. "This is a very serious matter involving a lot of money and many victims. An entire community was betrayed."
The 69-year-old former priest from western Pennsylvania is accused of stealing not only from three Pittsburgh-area Ukrainian Catholic Churches and the Knights of Columbus, but also from his own mother.
"It is unconscionable to see a supposed man of God exploiting not only the churches he served, but his own mother," added Sunday. "This defendant abused the trust of those around him, and left them to recover from mammoth financial losses."
It Was a Multiyear Investigation
The Attorney General's office said the investigation into Madeya's dealings went back to 2022. It revealed that he had embezzled more than $319,000 from multiple people and entities related to the church.
It also revealed that he misappropriated over $230,000 from his mother's investment accounts.
"[Madeya's mother] was at an age where she would not have been able to manage her own finances," Sunday said. "These are very serious felony charges including theft by unlawful taking, access device fraud, and financial exploitation of a care-dependent person."
The investigation also revealed that Madeya sold a gold chalice to a jeweler. Acting as a representative for the church, he snagged nearly $20,000 for the wine cup.
It is unclear when Madeya will return to Pennsylvania to face the charges against him. Those charges include theft by unlawful taking and financial exploitation of an older adult.
