A San Diego bishop who frequented a brothel in Tijuana, Mexico has pleaded not guilty to 15 felony counts of financial crimes.
Emanuel Shaleta from Saint Peter’s Chaldeanin East County allegedly stole at least $270,000 from his church, which he claimed he gave away to the needy.
Shaleta has been charged with eightcounts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, officials said.
It comes after it emerged Shaletaregularly traveled to a brothelnamed the Hong Kong Gentleman’s Club in Tijuana’s Zona Norte red-light district.
Prosecutor Joel Madero argued in an El Cajon courthouse that Shaleta is a flight risk because cops caught him at the airport with thousands in cash.
“When he was arrested last Friday, it was at the San Diego International Airport, and he was on his way to Germany,” Maderotold NBC San Diegoafter court.
“Given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 in the bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties, we’re close to Mexico — I do believe that some bail to ensure he shows up is appropriate.”
Shaleta’s legal representation said the suspicious flight was pre-planned and the bishop wasn’t fleeing the charges. Madero didn’t believe them.
“That money effectively vanished, and the money was going to the bishop, via the secretary,” Madero said. “There is no accounting of that money. The bishop indicated that was given to the needy.”
Over $427,000 is unaccounted for — but the true number could be as high as $1 million, the Pillar reported. Shaleta ardently defended himself in a statement.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
