(FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO) Fraud Unit is actively investigating allegations of embezzlement against a high-ranking leader of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego.
The Sheriff’s Media Relations team confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI that their office is aware of media reports regarding “alleged financial mishandling identifying Chaldean Bishop Emanuel Shaleta,” but was unable to provide further comment due to the ongoing investigation.
Allegations of financial mishandlings
The allegations against Shaleta were initially reported in an article by The Pillar, an investigative news source comprised of Catholic journalists.
According to that article, records allegedly show that rent payments for the Parish’s social hall – typically paid by an outside management company to the Parish – went to Shaleta directly. The rent payments were then paid for by the parish’s account for financial assistance to the poor…