Brooklyn Pastor Convicted of Fraud, Extortion, and False Statements: The Fall of the “Bling Bishop”
A high-profile Brooklyn pastor, Lamor Whitehead, who was known for his flashy Louis Vuitton suits and extravagant jewelry, was found guilty of five federal crimes on Monday in the Manhattan Federal Court. Whitehead, who is the leader of Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, was convicted of wire fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements to the FBI. The convictions were based on three distinct schemes.
Abuse of Trust: Defrauding a Parishioner
One of Whitehead’s schemes involved the misappropriation of a parishioner’s retirement savings. Prosecutors alleged that he had convinced her to invest $90,000 with him, promising to help her buy a home and manage her investments. However, instead of utilizing the funds for their intended purpose, Whitehead spent the money on luxury goods and personal expenses.
Extortion and Deception: Targeting a Businessman
Another scheme targeted a businessman, where Whitehead attempted to extort $5,000 from him and then sought a fraudulent loan of half a million dollars along with a stake in real estate transactions. Whitehead made this proposition under the false pretense that he could obtain “favorable connections by the New York City government,” despite knowing that he did not possess such influence.
False Statements: Misrepresentation to Federal Agents
Additionally, Whitehead made false statements to the FBI by denying that he owned a second phone, when in reality, he did. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, except for the false statements count, which is a maximum sentence of five years.
The Fallout: Consequences of Criminal Conduct
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, stated that the jury found Whitehead’s lies and criminal conduct reprehensible. “As a unanimous jury found, 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, tried to defraud him out of far more than that, and lied to federal agents,” he said in a news release.
“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,” Williams added.
Mayor’s Office Response to Extortion Attempt
“As the U.S. Attorney’s office said when they brought this case, the defendant ‘knew he could not obtain’ favors from city government. With this ruling, that was proven right,” said Charles Kretchmer Lutvak, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office in response to Whitehead’s failed attempt at extortion.
Sentencing and Legal Representation
Whitehead is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, and his attorneys, Dawn Florio, have plans to appeal the verdict.
Background: Whitehead’s Previous Headlines
Whitehead gained media attention in 2022 when he and his wife reported being robbed of over $1 million worth of jewelry at their church. This incident was not mentioned during the trial.
