South Lake Tahoe mayor admits to taking church funds; city and DA launch probe
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace publicly confessed Sunday that she took funds from the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, revealed a recent suicide attempt and said she is now receiving inpatient and outpatient mental-health care. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office has opened an investigation, and city officials say municipal finances were not affected.
Wallace, 57, sent a long, personal letter to local outlets in which she wrote,
“This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I am publicly admitting that I took funds from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period.”
In the same letter she said she attempted to take her life on Sept. 11 — her birthday — and subsequently spent 18 days in a mental-health facility. Wallace wrote that, while in treatment, she provided church leaders with account numbers and passwords so the extent of the missing funds could be identified.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to local media that it is handling a criminal probe into the matter; the DA has not released details about the amount allegedly taken or whether charges will be filed. The City of South Lake Tahoe issued a brief statement saying it is aware of the criminal investigation and that the city
“is in no fiscal harm from this situation and continues to provide essential services”
while officials have limited comment because the DA is leading the inquiry.
In her letter Wallace described multiple personal traumas — including childhood abuse, the death of a son from a fentanyl overdose and prolonged family medical crises — and said those experiences contributed to “guilt, shame and grief” that led to her actions. She expressed remorse and pledged to repay “every cent” she took and to accept legal consequences. Wallace also said she intends to use her experience to help others dealing with suicide and abuse.
City officials and community leaders are weighing next steps. Wallace was chosen by the City Council to serve as mayor in December 2024 and her current council term runs through November 2026, according to local reporting; if she were to resign or be removed, the council would follow the city’s rules for filling a vacancy, which may include appointment or a special election depending on timing and legal requirements.
Community reaction was immediate on social media and among local congregations and civic groups. Some congregants expressed shock and sadness; others urged compassion for Wallace as she seeks treatment. The pastor of Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church had not issued a public statement as of late Sunday, and local outlets say church leaders were cooperating with authorities.
“This has been devastating for our congregation and for the Wallace family,”
one community member told a local reporter, speaking on condition of anonymity. (Local outlets have published Wallace’s letter in full; readers are encouraged to refer to those reports for Wallace’s complete statement.)
What we know (key facts and timeline)
-
Wallace’s letter was published Oct. 5, 2025, by multiple local outlets; it contains a confession of extended theft from the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church and a description of a Sept. 11 suicide attempt.
-
Wallace said she spent 18 days in a mental-health facility and that she provided church officials information to trace the funds while hospitalized.The El Dorado County DA’s Office is handling a criminal investigation; the amount allegedly taken has not been publicly released and no public charging decision has been announced.
-
The City of South Lake Tahoe stated municipal finances are not affected; services continue.
Why this matters
The mayor’s admission raises legal and ethical questions about stewardship of nonprofit funds, transparency in public office and local governance continuity. It also highlights the intersection of criminal allegations and mental-health crises in public figures — a topic that many local advocates say needs compassionate, informed public discussion alongside accountability.
What to watch for next
-
Any formal charging decision or press release from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office.
-
Statements from Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church about the scope of the financial loss and any civil restitution efforts.
-
Actions by the South Lake Tahoe City Council regarding Mayor Wallace’s duties or any vacancy procedures should she step down or be unable to serve.
If you have relevant information for this story, contact the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office or local newsrooms that are covering the case.
Sources
Major local and regional coverage of Wallace’s letter and the investigation includes KTVU, The Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate, Tahoe Daily Tribune and local outlets South Tahoe Now and Kolo TV. Readers may consult those outlets for Wallace’s full letter and ongoing updates.
