A Catholic bishop in the United States, Emanuel Shaleta, has resigned following allegations that he embezzled $270,000 from his parish in the San Diego area while also facing claims that he patronised prostitutes in Mexico.
The resignation was confirmed by Pope Leo XIV, who accepted Shaleta’s request to step down as bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle. The Vatican said the resignation had been submitted earlier but was only publicly announced this week.
Shaleta, 69, has pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges, including embezzlement and money laundering, during a court hearing attended by several of his supporters.
Authorities accuse the bishop of misappropriating funds from the St Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, east of San Diego. Prosecutors allege the case is linked to missing monthly rental payments of more than $30,000 from a tenant using the church’s social hall.
Investigators also say Shaleta regularly travelled across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, where he allegedly frequented the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club, a brothel located in the city’s red-light district.
Shaleta was arrested last week at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the country. Prosecutors argued he posed a flight risk after he was found with more than $9,000 in cash and was reportedly preparing to travel abroad, though his lawyer said the trip had been planned earlier.
In response to the allegations, the bishop has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has never misused church funds and has always sought to properly manage donations made to the church.
A judge set his bail at $125,000 as the case proceeds, with Shaleta facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has appointed Saad Hanna Sirop as temporary administrator of the diocese.
The Chaldean Catholic Church represents more than a million Aramaic-speaking Christians, many of whom trace their roots to Iraq, while maintaining traditions distinct from the Roman Catholic Church.