The conviction of Lamor Whitehead, the “Bling Bishop” of Brooklyn, marks a stunning fall from grace for a man who once claimed close ties with Mayor Eric Adams and boasted of his influence. The two-week trial in Manhattan Federal Court concluded with Whitehead found guilty of wire fraud, attempted extortion, lying to the FBI, and related charges, cumulatively carrying a potential sentence of up to 45 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Greenwood, in her opening statement, painted a picture of a trusted community leader who exploited his position for personal gain. Whitehead, the bishop of Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, was accused of manipulating his parishioners, a money-lending company, and a Bronx businessman through a series of fraudulent schemes designed to support his lavish lifestyle, including luxury clothing and high-end vehicles.
One of these schemes involved the deceit of an elderly nurse, convincing her to hand over $90,000 of her life savings with the promise of purchasing and renovating a home for her to live in. This promise remained unfulfilled, with the funds instead used for Whitehead’s personal expenses. His manipulation extended to threats and attempts at extortion, including a $5,000 demand from the owner of a Bronx auto body shop and deceitful involvement in a real estate deal leveraging supposed connections with Mayor Adams for financial gain.
Whitehead’s defense, led by attorney Dawn Florio, urged jurors to consider the evidence, suggesting the absence of any credible proof against him. Florio then attempted to shift blame onto the victim’s son.
Whitehead’s actions not only shattered the lives of those he directly harmed but also cast a shadow over the community he was supposed to serve. As the legal process transitions to the sentencing phase, the repercussions of Whitehead’s actions should be seen in a broader context of faith-based corrupt services, like televangelism.
