Business
Brooklyn Pastor Found Guilty of Fraud and Extortion Schemes
A Brooklyn pastor known for his extravagant style and flamboyant persona, Lamor Whitehead, has been convicted of multiple charges including wire fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements to the FBI.
Operating out of the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Brooklyn, Whitehead, often dubbed the “Bling Bishop” for his penchant for luxury, was found guilty in federal court on Monday.
The flashy pastor gained notoriety for his lavish lifestyle, including his ostentatious Louis Vuitton suits and extensive collection of jewelry that made headlines.
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, highlighted Whitehead’s abuse of trust and criminal misconduct during the trial, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges he faced.
Prosecutors alleged that Whitehead swindled one of his parishioners out of $90,000, intended for investment and buying a home, instead spending the money on personal luxuries.
In a separate scheme, Whitehead attempted to extort $5,000 from a businessman, promising connections with the New York City government that he could not deliver.
Whitehead’s ties to Mayor Eric Adams were falsely leveraged in his attempts to secure the fraudulent deals, as per court documents.
Despite maintaining his innocence and attributing the charges to his refusal to cooperate as an FBI informant against Mayor Adams, Whitehead was convicted on multiple federal offenses.
Whitehead’s attorney, Dawn Florio, stated that they plan to appeal the verdict, with the sentencing scheduled for July 1.
The case further involved the victim Paula Anderson, who remains out nearly $100,000 that she had wired to Whitehead, leading to a significant impact on her life.
Rasheed Anderson, Paula’s husband, had formed a close bond with Whitehead, who portrayed himself as a mentor figure and even assisted in real estate transactions.
The court documents revealed that the funds wired by Paula Anderson were misused by Whitehead for personal expenditures, including purchases from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Foot Locker.
