Mayor’s SHOCKING Suicide Attempt After Church Theft

People sitting in church pews during service.

A California mayor voluntarily confessed to embezzling church funds and attempting suicide through a shocking public letter, refusing to resign while clinging to power despite admitting to criminal behavior.

Story Highlights

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace publicly confessed October 6, 2025to stealing from Presbyterian church
Wallace attempted suicide on September 11, 2025, due to guilt over embezzlement
Despite criminal admission, Wallace refuses to resign and plans to attend next city council meeting
Concurrent scandal erupted when Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass was arrested on assault charges

Unprecedented Public Confession Rocks California City

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace delivered an extraordinary confession through a detailed letter published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune on October 6, 2025. Wallace admitted to embezzling funds from the South Lake Tahoe Presbyterian Church, where she served as administrator. Rather than being caught by authorities, Wallace voluntarily disclosed her crimes through media outlets, creating an unprecedented situation where a sitting mayor confessed to felony theft before being discovered.

California mayor pens bizarre letter to local paper confessing to stealing from church and attempting suicide over guilt https://t.co/3abUSZ5vPc pic.twitter.com/f9hQOzQx7Y

— New York Post (@nypost) October 9, 2025

Mental Health Crisis Leads to Suicide Attempt

Wallace revealed that overwhelming guilt drove her to attempt suicide on September 11, 2025—her birthday. Following the attempt, she spent 18 days in a mental health facility receiving intensive treatment. Wallace’s letter connected her criminal behavior to extensive childhood trauma, including abuse from ages four to sixteen, and personal tragedies including her son Christopher’s death from fentanyl poisoning. She claimed most stolen funds were used to care for her deceased son’s three children.

Leadership Crisis Deepens with Dual Scandals

The day after Wallace’s confession surfaced, news broke that Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass was arrested on assault charges following an alleged restaurant altercation. This created a compounded governance crisis with both top city officials facing serious criminal allegations simultaneously. The dual scandals left South Lake Tahoe residents experiencing what media described as a “rollercoaster week” of municipal turmoil and damaged public trust.

Refusal to Resign Despite Criminal Admission

Despite confessing to embezzlement, Wallace has not resigned from office and plans to attend the October 21 city council meeting. This defiant stance contradicts basic accountability standards that conservative voters expect from public officials. Community member Carl Ribaudo publicly called for Wallace’s resignation to restore “credibility, integrity, and trust,” highlighting the erosion of public confidence. Wallace’s refusal to step down after admitting criminal behavior represents a troubling disregard for ethical governance and constituent trust.