#US #California – San Diego County Sheriff’s Office released a press statement that detailed they had arrested Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta due to an ongoing investigation into embezzlement and misconduct reported to the police last year.
The case began on August 19, 2025, when a representative from St. Peter Chaldean Church contacted the Sheriff’s Office. They provided a statement and supporting documents indicating potential embezzlement from the church. The initial report was forwarded to the Sheriff’s Fraud Unit, which conducted the follow-up investigation.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Bishop Shaleta was detained at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the country. He was arrested on the above charges, transported to, and booked at the San Diego Central Jail. He was charged with eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white collar crime enhancement. All these charges are felonies. He is being held at San Diego County Jail on a $125,000 bail.
The press release does not specify the exact amount of money allegedly involved, the precise time period of the alleged offenses, or quote any officials. It includes contact information for the Sheriff’s Fraud Unit and San Diego County Crime Stoppers for anyone with additional information
References: https://www.sdsheriff.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4050/16
Image: Bishop Emanuel Shaleta seen during his service as Chaldean Eparch (bishop) on an unknown date.
