"On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta was contacted and detained at the San Diego International Airport attempting to leave the country. Shaleta faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, officials said."
"The Pillar reported last month that the bishop allegedly diverted rental payments from church property for personal use and later covered his tracks with charity funds. Over $427,000 is unaccounted for - but the true number could be as high as $1 million, the outlet reported."
"The Pillar also obtained documents from a Vatican-ordered investigation into Shaleta that alleged the bishop regularly crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico, to visit a strip club. A private investigator documented Shaleta using a shuttle exclusive to the club's patrons to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club in Tijuana."
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 60, a senior figure in the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, was arrested at San Diego International Airport on March 5, 2026, during a months-long investigation. He faces eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime. The investigation revealed that Shaleta allegedly diverted rental payments from church property for personal use and covered his tracks with charity funds. Over $427,000 is unaccounted for, though the actual amount could reach $1 million. Additionally, documents from a Vatican-ordered investigation documented Shaleta making regular trips to a Tijuana strip club known for human trafficking, using a shuttle exclusive to the club's patrons.
#catholic-church-corruption #embezzlement-and-financial-crime #human-trafficking #clergy-misconduct #criminal-investigation
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