A bishop in California, Emanuel Shaleta, has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony financial charges after prosecutors accused him of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church.
Shaleta, 60, who serves with the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in the United States, is facing 15 felony counts including embezzlement, money laundering and aggravated white-collar crime. Authorities allege he misappropriated at least $270,000 from church funds, money he reportedly claimed was donated to the needy.
The case has also drawn attention after reports emerged that the bishop allegedly made regular visits to the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club, a brothel located in the red-light district of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.
Prosecutors said Shaleta may be a flight risk after he was arrested at San Diego International Airport while preparing to travel to Germany. Officials noted he had more than $9,000 in cash in his possession at the time.
Investigators believe more than $427,000 in church funds cannot be accounted for, though reports suggest the amount could be as high as $1 million.
Shaleta has denied any wrongdoing, insisting he has never used church funds for personal purposes and that he has always acted to safeguard donations.
The bishop has spent several days in custody after failing to post $125,000 bail and is expected to return to court next month for a preliminary hearing. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.