Police don arrest 69-year-old Catholic bishop, Emanuel Shaleta, wey belong to Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, over alleged fraud and multiple visits to one brothel for Tijuana, Mexico.

 

Authorities arrest am for San Diego International Airport as he wan board flight go Rome.

 

According to San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the bishop dey face eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, plus one count of aggravated white-collar crime.

 

Investigation start for August 2025 after one church member report suspected financial misconduct, wey make Vatican begin their own investigation too.

 

Authorities allege say Shaleta divert at least $427,345 from church parish accounts, as he allegedly dey write reimbursement cheques to himself.

 

Apart from the money matter, reports say dem see am several times for one “gentleman’s club” for Tijuana wey authorities describe as brothel where dem dey allegedly traffic women and girls. Reports claim say the bishop visit the place 12 times inside just one month.

 

Shaleta step down from him bishop duties for January but he deny all the allegations.

 

“I never for my priestly life or episcopal life misuse any church money,” he talk during church service on February 22, insisting say he manage church donations responsibly.