U.S priest caught spending church donations on Mexican prostitutes

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 Chaldean in 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 eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, officials said.

It comes after it emerged Shaleta regularly traveled to a brothel named 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.

“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.

“I have never — in my episcopal life — have I used any penny of the church money,” Shaleta said. “On the contrary: I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations,” also saying, “you are the only one who can believe me and defend my integrity in the church financial matters and in life.”

The bishop has also drawn plenty of support from his church, though The Pillar reported that Shaleta sent a resignation letter to the Vatican last month. He was seen in the pulpit for a Sunday mass weeks ago.

“After hearing all of the critics and attacks against our eparchy and bishop, we ask the lord to protect our eparchy and bishop from all of the negative attacks,” his church, Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, told NBC San Diego.

“We are in solidarity with our eparchy and bishop. We are awaiting the decision on this matter. Please continue to keep this eparchy in your prayers and remain faithful to the salvific mission of Christ.”

Parishioners were devastated about the bishop’s circumstances. “I cried,” Nidhal Shamoun told NBC San Diego. “He doesn’t deserve to be there.”

Others attending the church believe the charges are incorrect.

“This charge is not correct,” parishioner Farouk Gewarges told NBC San Diego. “It should be removed from him..I think so. They should come and talk to me.”

Shaleta has spent the last four nights in jail as he has been unable to make the $125,000 in bail.

He’s due back in court next month for a preliminary hearing in his case. He could spend 15 years in prison if convicted of his charges.