Catholic Bishop Pleads Not Guilty to Embezzlement and Money Laundering Charges
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta (also referred to as Emmanuel Shaleta or Emanuel Hana Shaleta), leader of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle in San Diego, pleaded not guilty on Monday to multiple felony charges related to the alleged theft of church funds. The 69-year-old bishop appeared in El Cajon Superior Court for his arraignment, where he entered a not guilty plea to eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime enhancement. Prosecutors allege that Shaleta embezzled approximately $270,000 (with some reports citing figures up to $420,000 or $250,000–$270,000) from St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon over an eight-month period. The scheme reportedly involved a rent scam and misuse of donated funds intended for the congregation. The charges stem from an investigation triggered by a church accountant discovering discrepancies in the finances. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office arrested...