California Bishop Embezzled Church Funds for Strippers 0 8

Catholic Bishop Emanuel Shaleta from California was arrested at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the country, reports the National Catholic Reporter. The priest is accused of embezzling diocesan funds for personal use. In particular, it is alleged that he regularly visited a brothel in the Mexican city of Tijuana, located on the border with the U.S.

The 69-year-old Shaleta led the Diocese of Saint Peter of the Chaldean Catholic Church in San Diego, which is accountable to the Vatican. An investigation into him began after a church representative contacted the sheriff's office in August 2025. Law enforcement received documents indicating "misuse of diocesan funds and allegations of misconduct" against Shaleta.

The Pillar published details of the investigation. As the Catholic media outlet found out, the bishop regularly crossed the border into Mexico and visited the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in Tijuana, where he had been more than ten times. The club boasts of "hundreds of international beauties" in its advertisements and effectively operates as a brothel, the publication noted.

According to the investigation, for personal needs, Shaleta replenished his wallet with money intended for paying rent on church properties. To cover this up, he allegedly reimbursed the missing amounts with funds from charitable foundations. According to the publication, more than $427,000 went unaccounted for, but the actual amount embezzled by the bishop could reach $1 million.

A private investigator working on the case recorded that Shaleta used transportation designated "for club clients only." This brothel had previously attracted law enforcement attention in connection with human trafficking cases. However, no charges have been brought against Shaleta regarding such crimes.

After his arrest on Thursday, the bishop was charged with eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of a major financial crime.

In January of this year, Shaleta submitted a resignation request. The bishop is currently held in the Central Jail of San Diego with a bail set at $125,000.