South Lake Tahoe mayor pens bizarre letter to local paper confessing to stealing from church and attempting suicide

A California mayor penned a bizarre letter to a local paper admitting to embezzling funds from her church and attempting suicide on her birthday last month over her all-consuming guilt — and has since been placed under criminal investigation.

South Lake Tahoe Mayor Tamara Wallace submitted a letter to the Tahoe Daily Tribune on Sunday, writing that she “took funds from the Presbyterian Church over an extended period,” while serving as an administrator, according to the outlet.

“Because of this, on September 11, 2025, my birthday, I tried to end my life. I was so filled with guilt, shame, and grief that I experienced a mental health crisis that made suicide seem to be the best solution,” Wallace wrote in the stunning letter of admission.

“It was only by the grace of God that I failed,” the mother of five added.

Since then, the lawmaker said she has been in a mental health facility and is now taking medication while in intense all-day counseling sessions.

“My husband, children, extended family members, and close friends were in shock and extreme anguish as they found out I had almost succeeded in taking my life. No one had any idea what I had done to the church,” she continued.

She pulled off the theft to help “others,” including her late son’s three children, she claimed.

Wallace said she turned towards suicide for a combination of factors, including her immense grief over her “sins,” alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, which included being drugged, and losing her son, Christopher, to fentanyl poisoning.

She chose to end her life on Sept. 11, in part because she “saw and felt the Pentagon explosion” while on the fourth floor of the US Congressional offices with her husband, Duane, she explained.

The mayor — and self-described “straight A” student and “hard-working mother” — said she still hopes to dedicate her life to her town.

“I have been reaching out to the church through the Pastor. I have not heard back yet, other than hearing second-hand that the church may seek charges through the District Attorney,” Wallace said.

“I am taking a different path. I am telling the truth and admitting what I have done,” she wrote, stating she wished not to “lie, hide, and delay” any consequences for her actions.

“But that does not free us from the earthly consequences of our actions. I must repay every cent and accept whatever punishment comes to me,” Wallace said.

The El Dorado District Attorney’s office will be investigating the alleged embezzlement, a staffer told the Daily Tribune.

The Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church confirmed that they discovered the “significant offense” and immediately informed law enforcement in a statement to the outlet.

Wallace’s employment at the house of worship was terminated on Sept. 26, the church said.

“She did not attend our church nor was she a member. Our congregation has suffered extensive loss, and as we address this loss and its impact, we remain committed to prayer, compassion, transparency, and justice,” the church said.

Wallace’s concerning admission came after South Lake Tahoe Mayor Pro Tem Cody Bass — who filled in during Wallace’s absence — was arrested for allegedly assaulting a restaurant employee in Nevada on Sept. 26, in an establishment where he had previously been banned, the outlet reported.

Bass allegedly approached an employee at an Aleworx and told him “he was going to have people kill him,” News4 reported.

He was arrested and booked on misdemeanor charges of assault, trespassing, and threats/harassment, then released from custody hours later.

The mayor pro tem has since released a statement denying the accusations against him, saying he had actually been assaulted by a doorman at the restaurant.

“On the evening in question, I was assaulted for the second time by the doorman at Aleworx on the sidewalk in front of AleWorx while I was walking to Lucky Beaver to get some food,” he wrote in a Facebook Post on Tuesday.

“I reported the assault to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Despite my testimony, the deputy chose to place me under a citizen’s arrest, accepting the doorman’s account over mine,” Bass said.

He also claimed the District Attorney has since dropped assault charges against him.

The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

“I will absolutely not be stepping down from my position on the City Council, as I have done nothing wrong. I am committed to going through the due process to prove my innocence,” he said.

As of now, both Wallace and Bass remain in office.

Sheree Juarez, a spokesperson for the city, told the SF Standard that both officials plan to attend a livestreamed City Council meeting on Oct. 21.

When reached by The Post, Wallace said, “My letter will be my only comment.”

Bass did not respond to a request for comment.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.