Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, California, has pleaded not guilty to all 17 felony charges during his arraignment at the El Cajon Courthouse.
The charges include eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and an enhancement for aggravated white-collar crime.
According to the District Attorney’s office, the charges allege criminal activity spanning multiple months beginning in 2024, with two counts assigned for each month of the alleged crimes. Shaleta stands accused of embezzling $270,000 from the church.
A church accountant discovered the missing funds, triggering an investigation.
“An individual at the church identified money that was just unaccounted for, and then investigation stemmed from that,” said Joel Madero, Deputy District Attorney.
Authorities allege that a tenant renting a hall owned by the church paid $30,000 monthly in rent. Initially, the tenant submitted payment by check. However, Shaleta allegedly instructed the tenant to pay in cash, with the money going to the bishop through the church secretary.
The District Attorney’s office says Shaleta attempted to conceal the cash by funneling it through a needy account—funds designated to help those in need—before moving it to an operations account under his control.
“That money effectively vanished, and the money was going to the bishop via the secretary; there’s no accounting of that money,” said Joel Madero.
Authorities arrested Shaleta at the San Diego International Airport on Thursday night, carrying a bag containing over $9,000. The District Attorney cited his arrest as evidence of flight risk and requested bail.
“He was on his way to Germany, given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 in his bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties, we’re close to Mexico. I did believe that some bail to ensure that he shows up was appropriate,” Madero said.
Several supporters attended the arraignment, including Faruk Gewiarges, a parishioner.
The judge set bail at $125,000. If Shaleta is released, he must wear a GPS tracker within 72 hours and will have no access to church funds. The Sheriff’s Office currently holds his passport and will transfer it to the court.
No plea deal discussions have occurred yet, according to the District Attorney. Shaleta faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The church released a statement expressing solidarity with the bishop. Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St Peter the Apostle
Shaleta’s hearing is scheduled for April 7, with a preliminary trial set for April 28.
