Lamor Whitehead, a prominent Brooklyn bishop known for his flashy lifestyle, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for wire fraud and attempted extortion. The 45-year-old preacher, often referred to as the "Bling Bishop" due to his penchant for expensive suits and luxury cars, was found guilty on multiple counts, including lying to federal agents.
Whitehead's downfall began when he was accused of defrauding his own parishioners. One victim, an elderly woman, was persuaded to invest $90,000 of her retirement savings with promises that it would help her purchase a home. Instead, Whitehead used the funds to sustain his extravagant lifestyle, buying luxury goods and covering personal expenses. When the woman demanded her money back, Whitehead continued to deceive her, claiming he was unable to return the funds.
NEW: "Bling Bishop" Lamor Whitehead jailed for violating a restraining order, claimed ties to Mayor Eric Adams in extortion scheme.
Whitehead was caught using his role as a pastor to intimidate Pauline Anderson by improperly displaying confidential case files.
"Touch not my… pic.twitter.com/8x4HChtksQ
— Hank (@HANKonX) May 20, 2024
The bishop's fraudulent activities extended beyond his congregation. He was also convicted of attempting to extort $5,000 from a businessman. Whitehead further tried to secure a $500,000 loan from the same businessman, offering supposed political favors in return. These favors, he claimed, could be obtained through his connections with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, though he knew he could not fulfill these promises.
Additionally, Whitehead submitted a falsified application for a $250,000 business loan, using doctored bank statements that grossly inflated his financial status. His fraudulent behavior did not end there; during the investigation, Whitehead lied to FBI agents, compounding his legal troubles.
VLOG II June 17: Bling Bishop Lamor Whitehead, who said he could get Eric Adams to do favors, sentenced to 108 months (9 years); Judge Schofield said while some congregants praise him, his testimony at trial was contrary to the evidence. https://t.co/1pGecxXvAK pic.twitter.com/v1oIQ8cKkh
— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) June 17, 2024
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the betrayal of trust that marked Whitehead's crimes. "Lamor Whitehead abused the trust placed in him by a parishioner, tried to obtain a fraudulent loan using fake bank records, bullied a businessman for $5,000, and lied to federal agents," Williams stated. "Whitehead’s reprehensible lies and criminal conduct have caught up with him, as he now stands convicted of five federal crimes and faces time in prison".
The sentencing marks a significant fall from grace for Whitehead, who had previously made headlines when his church was robbed during a live-streamed service in July 2022. Despite his claims of innocence and accusations of a biased trial, the jury's verdict and the judge's sentence reflect the severity of his actions.
Whitehead's case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of exploiting positions of trust for personal gain. His conviction underscores the commitment of law enforcement to hold individuals accountable, regardless of their status or public persona.
Whitehead will begin serving his sentence immediately, with his future prospects in ministry and public life significantly dimmed by his criminal record.
