Lamor Whitehead, the ostentatious Brooklyn pastor known as the “Bling Bishop,” was sentenced today to nine years in prison for defrauding a parishioner’s mother and attempting extortion. The sentence, handed down by Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan federal court, follows Whitehead’s conviction on five counts, including wire fraud and lying to federal agents.
Whitehead’s most notorious crime involved defrauding Pauline Anderson, who entrusted him with $90,000 from her retirement savings, believing he would help her buy a home. Instead, Whitehead spent the money on luxury items, including designer clothes and a BMW. “I lost everything I had worked for,” Anderson tearfully told the court. Her son, Rasheed Anderson, who worked closely with Whitehead, expressed his family’s devastation, saying, “I was used and taken advantage of, and because of that I have to see my mother suffer.”
Prosecutors painted Whitehead as a career con man who had manipulated his position as a religious leader to enrich himself. They highlighted his history of fraud, including a 2008 conviction for identity theft. Despite Whitehead’s claims of community service and charitable work, Judge Schofield was unmoved. “I don’t see any remorse for your conduct,” she said. Whitehead also extorted Brandon Belmonte, a Bronx businessman. Belmonte wore a wire for the FBI, capturing Whitehead’s false claims of influence over city officials which he made in an attempt to extract money from his mark.
Despite the severity of the crimes, Whitehead’s defense sought leniency, citing his charitable works and the trauma from a 2022 armed robbery during a church service. His attorney, Dawn Florio, argued for supervised release, highlighting letters of support from parishioners. However, these pleas failed to sway the court.
Mayor Adams, distancing himself from Whitehead, offered a brief comment: “Bishop Whitehead is in my prayers, and I wish the best for him.”
