An expert in parish financial misconduct told The Pillar that the recent arrest of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest represents possibly the worst case he has encountered, and that numerous red flags were missed, which might have curtailed the priest’s alleged criminal activity well before he was caught.
The case involves a 69-year-old priest accused of stealing nearly $750,000 over five years, from various Church entities and his own elderly mother. The alleged crime was discovered during a narcotics investigation which uncovered drug-related messages and photos on the priest’s phone, the Pennsylvania attorney general said.
“This case is a cross between ‘Breaking Bad’ and the ‘Bells of St. Mary,’” said retired IRS criminal investigator Robert Warren, an associate professor of accounting at Radford University.
Warren stressed that there were years of warnings were missed in the case – and said that if they had been heeded, the alleged theft could have been stopped much sooner.
Father Gregory Madeya, 69, was arrested last Friday at his residence in Florida. He faces 10 charges related to theft and exploitation of an elderly adult.
“Father Madeya allegedly stole from his parishes, the Knights of Columbus, and his own elderly and infirm mother. He used the funds to procure illegal narcotics such as heroin and cocaine, finance an illicit relationship, and to purchase luxury items such as a Mustang sports car for cash and numerous cruises, taken with a former religious brother who was previously convicted of stealing $220,000 from his parish,” Warren explained.
Madeya, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, had served at St. John the Baptist Church in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania until 2024. He previously served at St. Demetrius Church and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, both located in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
His arrest came after years of investigations.
In February 2023, the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office and local police forces began “a narcotics investigation involving money laundering and/or misuse of funds, specifically from religious organizations, into Father Gregory Madeya,” according to the criminal complaint.
In September 2023, investigators examined the trash at the home where Madeya lived with another man named Marc Mowod. According to court documents obtained by The Pillar, police found drug paraphernalia including broken pipes, nearly two dozen used hypodermic needles, and 114 stamp bags with “suspected heroin residue” in them. Later searches found drugs including heroin, marijuana, and cocaine residue inside the residence.
Mowod later told investigators that Madeya paid him in cash and illegal drugs for sexual acts, and that the priest had bought him a $35,000 Ford Mustang in 2021, according to court documents. The two were living together, and Mowod said he had access to church bank accounts. A review of Mowod’s phone found references to Madeya taking money from the church collection to pay Mowod.
Madeya was suspended from priestly ministry in February 2024.
Subsequent investigations led to allegations that the priest had stolen money from various church fundraisers and collections, sold a chalice belonging to the parish for personal gain, and used gift cards from the local Knights of Columbus which had been intended to help those in need.
He is accused of taking money from St. John the Baptist, St. Demetrius, and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary churches.
Additionally, investigators said, the priest stole more than $230,000 from his elderly mother’s retirement accounts, over which he had power of attorney. His mother was evicted from several different nursing homes due to lack of payment, court documents said.
Warren told The Pillar that the length and breadth of the alleged theft make it perhaps the worst out of some 130 cases of religious financial misconduct he has reviewed.
He said there were a number of red flags that were missed for years, which could have stopped the alleged theft long before it was eventually discovered.
“All of this was preventable with a little effort,” Warren said.
Court documents said there had been complaints of financial discrepancies surrounding Madeya as far back as 2012.
However, Warren said, “it appears that all [parishioners] did was complain to him. There is no evidence that they contacted their bishop, who failed to provide sufficient oversight over Madeya.”
Additionally, Warren said, while the parish secretary knew money was missing from collection envelopes, she apparently did not contact police, who only discovered the financial concerns during a narcotics investigation.
Warren has long advocated for preventative measures to avoid theft in parishes.
Key among his recommendations are regular financial audits, a robust financial council, and policies to require that multiple people be involved in monitoring donations and financial transactions.
He added that clergy members should be required to disclose where they are living, and with whom. And, he said, they should not be permitted to reside with non-clergy members unless they have permission from their bishop.
In addition, Warren suggested random house searches and drug tests for priests, and recommended that dioceses create a hotline for suspected fraud or theft.
And parishioners who have concerns should make sure to speak up, he continued. He said that Madeya was known for going on cruises, and led a lifestyle significantly beyond his roughly $33,000 annual income.
“Parishioners have to trust their own instincts and report suspicions up the chain of command until their concerns are addressed,” Warren said. “Sometimes parishioners may have to go so far as to hire their own private investigator, such as in the case of the recently indicted Chaldean bishop.”
The charges against Madeya are the latest in a string of parish theft cases in recent years. Parishes in Florida, Missouri, New York, Alabama, Massachusetts and Iowa are among those which have been victims of recent financial crimes.
Saint Robert Warren, pray for us 🙏
The pictured church is right across the street from McKeesport Area Senior High School. Not far from home sweet home. God help home sweet home 🙏