South Lake Tahoe Mayor Admits Church Embezzlement

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace admitted in a letter that she took funds from the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church over an extended period and provided account numbers and passwords to help the church uncover the missing money. Wallace said guilt drove her to attempt suicide on Sept. 11, spent 18 days in a mental‑health facility, and is now receiving medication and intensive group and individual therapy. In the letter she described longtime trauma—including childhood sexual abuse and the recent loss of a son to fentanyl—that she said contributed to her actions but does not excuse them. The El Dorado County district attorney is investigating; Wallace did not disclose the amount taken, says she intends to repay the church and accept any punishment, and the church has not publicly commented. Her absence has raised leadership questions—she missed a recent council meeting but is not on leave—and the city is facing broader turmoil as Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass is separately facing misdemeanor charges.