"Prosecutor Joel Madero said the allegations against Shaleta are connected to monthly rental payments of more than $30,000 from a tenant of the church's social hall that allegedly were missing. He said there were discrepancies in church accounts and that Shaleta provided completely unreasonable tales of where that money was going."
"During a recent mass, Shaleta addressed allegations against him, saying he has never abused any penny of the church money. On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly, he said at the time."
"He was arrested last week at San Diego international airport while trying to leave the country, according to the San Diego county sheriff's office, which didn't say where he was allegedly heading. Someone from Shaleta's church provided a statement and documentation showing potential embezzlement from the church."
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 69, resigned from his position leading a small Chaldean Catholic community in San Diego following his arrest at the airport while allegedly attempting to leave the country. He faces 17 felony charges including embezzlement and money laundering related to St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon. Prosecutors allege over $30,000 in monthly rental payments from a church social hall tenant went missing, with significant discrepancies in church accounts. Shaleta pleaded not guilty and maintains he never misused church funds. His bail was set at $125,000. The Vatican accepted his resignation under canon law for Eastern Rite churches. Despite the charges, some church members expressed solidarity with him.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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