Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 60, of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego, California, was arrested on Thursday at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States, reports NBCSanDiego.com. The arrest followed a months-long investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Fraud Unit.
Authorities say Shaleta will face eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement.
The investigation began in August after a church representative from St. Peter Chaldean Church in El Cajon reported suspected financial misconduct. Investigators say more than $427,000 in church funds may be missing, possibly as much as $1 million.
Rental payments from a church-owned property were reportedly taken in cash and never deposited, with the missing money later replaced by checks drawn from a charity account intended for the poor.
Shaleta is also accused of visiting a brothel in Tijuana, Mexico, and maintaining a long-standing relationship with a woman with whom he reportedly shares a bank account. Investigators report that the woman had keys to the bishop’s home while Shaleta had access to hers, and the two were frequently observed visiting each other’s homes for extended periods.
The prelate was made a bishop by Francis in 2015 and promoted to San Diego in 2017. Leo XIV continues the personnel policy style of his predecessor.
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