It’s been quite the year for Bishop Lamor Whitehead, last we heard, he was pushing folks out of his church [allegedly], and now according to the NY Post, the Feds have arrested him.
The flashy Brooklyn pastor who made headlines earlier this year when he was robbed at gunpoint during a church service — was arrested by federal agents Monday and charged with fraud, extortion and lying to the FBI.
Whitehead — who preaches a “prosperity gospel” at his Canarsie church, drives a Rolls-Royce and often wears pricey jewelry and Gucci suits — was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements, federal prosecutors said.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.
The feds allege Whitehead scammed one of his parishioners out of $90,000 of her retirement savings by promising to use the cash to buy her a home — and instead blowing it on luxury goods and clothing, according to the indictment.
In another alleged scheme, Whitehead extorted a businessman for $5,000 and asked the man to lend him $500,000 — promising he could “obtain favorable actions by the New York City government” in exchange for the cash and interest in real estate transactions, the indictment states.
“His campaign of fraud and deceit stops now,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after Whitehead’s arrest.
“If you are willing to attempt to obtain funds through false promises or threats, the FBI will ensure that you are made to face the consequences for your actions in our criminal justice system,” FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll added in a statement.
Whitehead drew widespread media attention on July 23 when three suspects burst into his church, Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, during a live-streamed service and robbed him at gunpoint for jewelry estimated at up to $1 million.
Two men, Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, both 23, were charged in Brooklyn federal court for the brazen stick-up. Their trials are scheduled to begin early next year.
The flamboyant pastor has had ties to Mayor Eric Adams since at least 2013 and also made headlines in May when he tried to negotiate the surrender of an accused subway shooter and claimed to have spoken with Hizzoner while the suspect was on the loose.
Whitehead was convicted of identity theft charges brought by state prosecutors in 2006 for using the personal information of several people to buy cars and motorcycles.
He was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, but was released for good behavior in 2013.
Whitehead, who currently faces a number of civil suits, launched an unsuccessful campaign for Brooklyn borough president in 2021 – and one of his former campaign workers now claims he stiffed him out of $56,000.
Whitehead called the campaign worker’s suit “frivolous.”
His attorney, Dawn Florio, said her client was innocent of the federal charges.
“Bishop Lamor Whitehead is not guilty of these charges,” Florio said in a statement. “He will be vigorously defending these allegations. He feels that he is being targeted and being turned into a villain from a victim.”
BREAKING: NYC Bishop Lamor Whitehead, a friend of @NYCMayor, has been charged criminally for allegedly defrauding his 56-year-old parishioner of her entire life savings. @THECITYNY first reported on these allegations (and many more) this July. https://t.co/jn5hDLgp8Z pic.twitter.com/I6lsh53Snl
— George Joseph (@georgejoseph94) December 19, 2022
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Not Bishop Lamor Whitehead arrested for fraud and extortion. Called it. At church flexing on all them members, they just giving their money up freely. pic.twitter.com/SW2O8S6pAN
— Xero Music? (@XeroMusicXM) December 19, 2022
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Color me shocked that Bishop Whitehead is currently locked up by the feds for numerous things including staging that robbery .
— Thick Thigh’d Vibe! (@ReddQt703) December 19, 2022
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i been knew Bishop Whitehead was full of shit!! ??♀️ no different from alot of orher Bishops/Pastors
— Muffin ?⚢ (@Its_Muffin) December 19, 2022
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