Bishop Accused of Embezzlement Faces Preliminary Hearing in El Cajon

San Diego, CA, September 2, 2026 —

A preliminary hearing is underway in El Cajon, San Diego, concerning accusations of embezzlement and money laundering against Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta. Shaleta, formerly the leader of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, faces allegations involving approximately $272,000.

Prosecutors contend that Bishop Shaleta is accused of diverting funds that belonged to the church. Specifically, the allegations state that Shaleta allegedly directed cash rent payments, made by a tenant of the church, directly into his own possession. This practice, according to the prosecution, represented a deviation from the established financial procedures of the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral.

The legal proceedings aim to determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a trial. The preliminary hearing is a critical stage in the criminal justice process where the prosecution presents its case to a judge, who then decides whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed it. The amount cited in the allegations is around $272,000.

Details regarding the tenant or the specific timeline of the alleged financial misconduct were not detailed in the provided information. The former leader of the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral is central to these proceedings, with the outcome of the preliminary hearing expected to shape the next steps in the legal process. Further information regarding the court’s decision will be reported as it becomes available.

Story summarized from the original created by Allison Ash and City News Service on www.nbcsandiego.com, see more information here.

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