Female California mayor admits to embezzling funds from local church for years in extraordinary public confession

A mayor revealed that she attempted suicide after stealing funds from a local church for an extended period of time.

Mayor Tamara Wallace of South Lake Tahoe, California, wrote a public confession published yesterday by South Tahoe Now and the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Wallace sent the letter to the outlets, in which she revealed she ‘took funds from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period. Because of this, on September 11, 2025, my birthday, I tried to end my life.’

Wallace said for her safety, she has spent 18 days in a mental health facility where she was being treated with medication as well as intense individual and group therapy sessions.

The mayor, who was a part-time administrator of the church, wrote that she turned herself in.

‘I had not been found out; in effect, I turned myself in. I had prepared a list of account numbers and passwords that I provided to the Church, while still in the hospital, so that my actions could be more easily discovered,’ she wrote.

Wallace said in the message that she justified the money she stole from the church because she used ‘most of those funds to help others, such as my deceased son’s three children.’

She also stated that she suffered years of childhood sexual abuse, and her own health struggles contributed.

Mayor Tamara Wallace of South Lake Tahoe, California, wrote a public confession published yesterday

Wallace sent the letter to outlets where she revealed she stole from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period of time and attempted to take her own life (Her husband Duane)

However, she added that these are in no way an excuse for her actions.

‘As a city council member, I have had to endure countless death threats (mostly anonymous) and personal insults, even on the topic of my son’s tragic death,’ she wrote.

‘My husband has come very close to passing away three times over the past five years.

‘Still, these things may be reasons, but not an excuse for my behavior. There is no excuse.’

Wallace noted that she was willingly ready to face the consequences for her actions. ‘I must repay every cent and accept whatever punishment comes to me.’

The public official explained why she shared her story with the public: ‘I have heard that someone told the Tribune that they now have a reporter trying to get a story.’

‘Here it is… rather than being like many public servants and individuals who try to lie, hide, and delay the consequences of something they have done, I am taking a different path. I am telling the truth and admitting what I have done.’

She added in her letter that no one in her family knew about her actions and that her loved ones were ‘in shock and extreme anguish.’

The mayor claims she was going to turn herself in and prepared all evidence prior

She added in her letter that no one in her family knew about her actions

Wallace is married to her husband, Duane, and has three sons and a daughter.

‘Sorry is not a strong enough word to explain the depths of my regret and shame. I do not think anyone can be as angry at me as I am at myself,’ Wallace apologized towards the end of her letter.

It is unclear how much money the mayor stole.

Sheree Juarez, a spokesperson for the City of South Lake Tahoe, said: ‘The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office is handling this matter, and therefore we have limited information about the investigation.’

‘The City is in no fiscal harm from this situation and continues to provide essential services to our residents. We have no further comment at this time,” reportedly by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Wallace has served on the South Lake Tahoe City Council since 2018 and previously served as mayor in 2021.

She was re-elected as mayor in December 2024, and her term ends in November 2026, according to the outlet.