A senior Catholic bishop in California was arrested at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States, following a months-long investigation into allegations of church fund embezzlement and money laundering.
According to a statement from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 60, of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle, was arrested on 3/5/2026.
Police said Shaleta was stopped and detained as he was preparing to board a flight out of the country.
Facing Multiple Financial Charges
According to investigation records, Shaleta faces 8 counts of embezzlement, 8 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of aggravated white-collar crime.
Investigators believe he used church property rental income for personal purposes, then used funds from charitable accounts to conceal the expenditures.
According to a report from Catholic news outlet The Pillar, the unaccounted-for funds currently total $427,000 and could reach up to $1 million.
Investigation Began in 2025
The investigation started in August 2025 when a representative of St. Peter Chaldean Church provided documents and testimony to law enforcement about signs of financial embezzlement.
Simultaneously, a separate investigation requested by the Vatican was also conducted.
According to investigative documents, Shaleta allegedly crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico on multiple occasions to visit an adult entertainment club.
A private investigator reportedly documented Shaleta using a private shuttle service for patrons of the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club in the Zona Norte area of Tijuana.
The area has long been monitored by law enforcement agencies due to its connections to prostitution and suspected human trafficking.
However, investigators stated there are no allegations that Shaleta was involved in human trafficking.
Had Submitted Resignation to the Vatican
Before his arrest, Shaleta had submitted his resignation to the Vatican in January 2026, after the church’s internal investigation was launched.
Following the incident, priests of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle issued a statement expressing support for Shaleta and calling on parishioners to continue praying.
Currently Held at San Diego Jail
Shaleta is currently being held at San Diego Central Jail with bail set at $125,000 while awaiting further proceedings from California’s judicial authorities.
