The ‘Bling Bishop’, a flamboyant pastor from Brooklyn, has been sentenced to nine years in prison due to his involvement in financial fraud.
US District Judge Lorna G Schofield has sentenced Bishop Lamor Miller-Whitehead, aged 45, after finding him guilty of wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
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In March, Miller-Whitehead, who was recognized for his fashionable designer suits and luxurious Rolls Royce, was found guilty after a two-week trial.
During a church service that was being live-streamed in Canarsie, the bishop of Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries and his wife were robbed by armed thieves, resulting in the loss of $1 million worth of jewelry. This incident made headlines in July 2022.
According to US Attorney Damian Williams, the religious leader was a “con man” who committed multiple financial frauds and even took money from one of his own followers, resulting in the theft of millions of dollars.
After reviewing the indictment and examining the evidence presented during the trial, it was found that Miller-Whitehead convinced one of his parishioners to invest approximately $90,000 from her retirement savings with him. He made this promise to her, assuring that the money would be utilized to help her purchase a house.
The man indulged himself with the money, spending it on lavish items and personal expenses. Despite the woman’s request for the return of her funds, he chose to deceive her with false explanations. Additionally, the bishop coerced a businessman into giving him $5,000 and asked for a loan of $500,000.
The bishop was involved in yet another crime where he submitted a fake application for a business loan worth $250,000. To support his application, he manipulated bank statements, misrepresenting that he had millions of dollars in his bank account, and was earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly revenue.
According to prosecutors, the bishop replicated his fraudulent schemes with multiple financial institutions and ended up embezzling millions of dollars. As the investigation into his wrongdoings progressed, FBI investigators claim that he provided false statements to them during a search warrant at his New Jersey residence.
Although he possessed and utilized a second cell phone, he denied owning any cell phones other than the one he had on him when law enforcement located him.
As part of the sentence, Miller-Whitehead has been directed to pay $85,000 in restitution and forfeit $95,000. Additionally, she is obligated to serve three years of supervised release.
According to Dawn Florio, an attorney representing Bishop Lamor Miller Whitehead, in an email statement sent to The Independent, they remain resolute in their belief of the bishop’s innocence, even in the face of this setback. They are determined to continue the fight.
“We are committed to pursuing every possible legal option to ensure that justice is served. Our resolve to establish Bishop Whitehead’s innocence remains strong, and we will waste no time in initiating the appeal proceedings.”
