San Diego, California – Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle has been arrested by San Diego County authorities on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, officials confirmed Thursday. The arrest occurred as Shaleta allegedly attempted to leave the country through the San Diego International Airport, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
The allegations against Bishop Shaleta stem from an investigation sparked by a report published in The Pillar, a Catholic news outlet, which detailed concerns over the misappropriation of church funds and visits to a Tijuana brothel. The Sheriff’s Fraud Unit began investigating potential “financial mishandling” within the diocese in February 2026, according to a department spokesperson.
Authorities have charged Shaleta with eight counts of embezzlement (California Penal Code 508), eight counts of money laundering (California Penal Code 186.10(a)), and one count of white-collar crime enhancement (California Penal Code 186.11(a)(1)). He is currently being held at the San Diego Central Jail on $125,000 bail, following a court-approved warrant for his arrest under Penal Code section 1275.1.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
The investigation centers around allegations that Bishop Shaleta misappropriated over $427,000 in rental income from a property owned by the church, potentially reaching as high as $1 million, according to The Pillar’s reporting. The funds were allegedly used to repay debts unrelated to the church, including funds earmarked for charitable purposes. The initial report that triggered the investigation was filed on August 19, 2025, by a representative of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Church, located in El Cajon, California.
Reported Visits to Tijuana Brothel
In addition to the financial allegations, a private investigator’s report obtained by The Pillar alleges that Bishop Shaleta was a frequent visitor to The Hong Kong Billionaire’s Club, a brothel in Tijuana, Mexico. The investigator reportedly documented Shaleta’s visits and also noted his frequent contact with a woman with whom he shares a joint bank account, a relationship that began when they both worked for the church in Michigan. NBC San Diego reported on these allegations in February 2026.
Impact on the Chaldean Catholic Community
The arrest of Bishop Shaleta has sent shockwaves through the Chaldean Catholic community in San Diego and beyond. The Chaldean Catholic Church is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Pope. The Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle serves Chaldean Catholics in the United States and Canada. The allegations raise serious questions about financial oversight and accountability within the diocese.
Bishop Bejarano’s Role
The Diocese of San Diego has been in transition, with Ramon Bejarano recently appointed as the bishop-designate of the Diocese of Monterey as of December 17, 2025. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of San Diego from 2020 to 2026, according to Wikipedia. His installation in Monterey took place on February 19, 2026.
What Comes Next
Bishop Shaleta’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation. He is expected to appear in court to face the charges against him. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has not released a timeline for the completion of their investigation. The Vatican has not yet issued a statement regarding the arrest, but it is likely to be closely monitoring the situation. The future of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle remains uncertain as the legal proceedings unfold.
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