Pastor Bishop Lamor Whitehead Arrested for Fraud, Extortion, and False Statements Following an Earli

Publish date: 2024-04-15

Bishop Lamor Whitehead arrested for fraud, extortion, and false statement months after he was robbed during church service

Charged on Monday, Dec. 19, Bishop Lamor Whitehead, a prominent pastor in Brooklyn, who had been robbed a few months back during a church service, faces allegations of fraud, extortion, and lying to federal authorities.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan accused Mr. Whitehead of soliciting money from individuals, including a retired parishioner, through threats or false promises of enriching them, then retaining the money for personal gain.

Mr. Whitehead’s attorney, Dawn Florio, contested the allegations, stating, “Bishop Whitehead denies these allegations and we are going to fight them vigorously.”

Known for preaching “prosperity gospel” at his Canarsie church, Bishop Whitehead, who is often seen driving luxurious cars and wearing expensive jewelry and clothing, has been indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements by federal prosecutors.

If found guilty, he could face a maximum of 65 years in prison.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead arrested for fraud, extortion, and false statement months after he was robbed during church service

According to the indictment, federal prosecutors allege that Mr. Whitehead defrauded one of his parishioners of $90,000 from her retirement savings by falsely promising to use the funds to purchase a home for her, instead spending it on luxury items and clothing.

In another alleged scheme, Whitehead is accused of extorting $5,000 from a businessman and seeking a $500,000 loan, promising to provide favorable actions by the New York City government in return for the cash and interest in real estate transactions.

“His campaign of fraud and deceit stops now,” stated US Attorney Damian Williams after Whitehead’s arrest.

In 2006, Whitehead was convicted of identity theft charges for using individuals’ personal information to purchase vehicles. He served a sentence of up to 30 years and was released in 2013 for good behavior.

Currently facing several civil suits, Whitehead’s 2021 campaign for Brooklyn borough president was unsuccessful, with one of his former campaign workers claiming he was deceived out of $56,000.

Referring to the worker’s lawsuit as “frivolous,” Whitehead’s attorney, Dawn Florio, stated, “Bishop Lamor Whitehead is not guilty of these charges. He will be vigorously defending these allegations. He feels that he is being targeted and being turned into a villain from a victim.”

Whitehead made headlines in May when he attempted to negotiate the surrender of an accused subway shooter.

The pastor was also in the spotlight on July 23 when three suspects robbed him at gunpoint during a live-streamed church service, taking jewelry estimated at up to $1 million.

Two men, Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, both 23, have been charged in Brooklyn federal court for the robbery, caught on live video, and their trials are expected to commence early next year.


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