A 69-year-old Catholic cleric, Emanuel Shaleta, has been arrested over allegations of financial fraud and repeated visits to a suspected brothel in Mexico.
Shaleta, who serves under the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, was reportedly arrested at San Diego International Airport while preparing to board a flight to Rome.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the bishop faces eight counts of emb£zzlement, eight counts of money l@undering, and one count of aggravated white-collar cr+me.
Authorities say the investigation began in August 2025 after a church member reported suspected financial misconduct. The complaint prompted both a law-enforcement investigation and a parallel inquiry by the Vatican.
Investigators allege that Shaleta misappropriated at least $427,345 from parish accounts, reportedly issuing reimbursement checks to himself as part of the scheme.
In addition to the financial allegations, reports claim the bishop was seen multiple times at a gentleman’s club in Tijuana that authorities describe as operating as a brothel where women and girls were allegedly tr@fficked. Sources allege he visited the establishment 12 times within a single month.
Shaleta resigned from his episcopal duties in January but has strongly denied the allegations.
“I have never in my priestly life or episcopal life ab¥sed any of the Church money,” he said during a church service on February 22, insisting that he handled church donations responsibly.
The case is currently under investigation, and authorities say further legal proceedings are expected.
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