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A Catholic bishop in Californiawas reportedly a frequent guest at a well-known Mexican brothel, according to a report.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 69, is alleged to have frequently crossed the border from San Diego to Tijuana to visit theHong Kong Gentlemen’s Club.

Shaleta was the head of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego during the period when the alleged visits occurred.

He created over a dozenlate-night visits to the brothelwithin one month, as stated in the report published byThe Pillar.

Shaleta’s salacious excursionsreportedly reduced to a ‘few times per week’ following his interrogation regarding them.

The document, requested by the Vatican, stated that the bishop was seen parking his vehicle in a lot designated for individuals visiting the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club.

From that point, he took a shuttle designated solely for the brothel’s guests.

The organization has been characterized by activists for human rights as a brothel in which women and girls are said to have been trafficked and compelled to work.

A Tijuana brothel’s website promoted ‘hundreds of exotic women available each night’ for visitors, featuring images of girls in revealing attire and neon-lit beds.

The club also shared information regarding its complimentary shuttle service, which collects passengers close to the US-Mexico border.

Shaleta is also facing criticism due to his supposed connection with an unknown woman who worked as his parish secretary during his time as a pastor in Michigan.

The bishop has a shared bank account with the woman, according to the investigation. It is said to have contained over $40,000 in 2025 and received consistent deposits from him.

In 2015, when Shaleta was appointed as the eparch for Chaldean Catholics in Canada, the woman is said to have made ‘frequent trips’ to Toronto and stayed ‘either at a nearby hotel or at his residence.’

After Shaleta was named to head the eparchy in San Diego in 2017, the woman promptly relocated there.

The report stated that Shaleta had “unrestricted access” to her residence and that he spent “a significant amount of time” with her children.

” He has been seen and recorded taking the children to his house, to a park, purchasing meals for them, engaging in play at their residence, letting the kids have unrestricted access to his vehicle, and lifting them into the air,” the inquiry stated.

It claimed that Shaleta’s actions were “similar to what a parent would do.”

Besides the other accusations, the inquiry stated that Shaleta misappropriated funds connected to the church.

The document detailing the bishop’s activities was sent to the Dicastery for Eastern Catholic Churches for examination.

Authorities claimed he withdrew at least $427,345 from church funds, issuing so-called refund checks that he signed personally.

The sum of money reportedly misappropriated by Shaleta might amount to $1 million.

As per the report, the parish rents out its social hall to an external management company for approximately $34,000 each month.

Rent typically paid via check by an external company. However, records from November 2024 allegedly indicated the payment originated from a distinct parish bank account designated for aiding the impoverished.

When questioned about this, Shaleta is said to have claimed he instructed the company to provide the entire sum so he could distribute it directly to families in need.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Division is currently looking into Shaleta regarding financial misconduct, as reported byNBC7.

The bishop is said to have submitted a resignation letter to the Vatican in the previous month, despite being spotted at his church recently.

Shaleta refuted the claims on Sunday as the church service came to an end.

“I have never misused any of the Church’s funds during my time as a priest or bishop,” he said, according toThe Pillar.

The bishop stated, “On the contrary, I have made every effort to safeguard and handle the Church’s donations appropriately.”

Despite asserting his innocence, Shaleta stated that the Vatican conducted an investigation into him without informing him.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, and email addresses linked to Shaleta for their response.

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