The Chaldean Catholic bishop of San Diego, Emanuel Hana Shaleta, is under investigation by the Vatican following allegations of financial misconduct and inappropriate behavior, including repeated visits to a well-known adult nightclub in Tijuana, Mexico.
According to an investigation published by the Catholic outlet The Pillar, Shaleta allegedly diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from parish accounts designated for charitable assistance. The report also alleges that the bishop made frequent trips to Hong Kong, an adult entertainment venue located in Tijuana’s Zona Norte district.
Financial irregularities flagged
Concerns surfaced in November 2024, when members of the finance council at St. Peter Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, California, identified unusual banking activity tied to the rental of a parish hall.
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Documents reviewed by The Pillar indicate that monthly payments of approximately $33,990 were not coming from the external tenant renting the hall, but instead from an internal account reserved for social assistance programs.
The investigation alleges that Shaleta requested cash payments from the tenant while backfilling the rental income with money from the parish’s charitable fund. The arrangement reportedly continued for at least eight months, totaling $427,000 in documented transfers. The report suggests the overall amount in question could approach $1 million.
Report details visits to Tijuana nightclub
The report also cites findings from a private investigator who tracked multiple late-night border crossings by the bishop into Tijuana.
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According to the published investigation, Shaleta was observed on several occasions parking in a reserved area before entering Hong Kong, described in the report as an establishment linked to prostitution. The surveillance documented more than a dozen visits within a single month.
Vatican investigation ongoing
In response to the allegations, the Holy See launched an internal investigation into both the diocese’s financial management and the bishop’s personal conduct. The church inquiry is unfolding alongside civil investigations by U.S. authorities.
Shaleta submitted his resignation in January 2026, but the Vatican has not formally accepted it. The investigation remains ongoing, and no final determination has been announced.
