Lamor Whitehead, the Brooklyn pastor famously known as the “Bling Bishop” for his extravagant lifestyle, has been sentenced to nine years in prison. The sentencing follows his conviction for defrauding a parishioner’s mother out of her life savings and other fraudulent activities.
Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lorna Schofield delivered the sentence after hearing from victims who were financially devastated by Whitehead’s actions. The pastor, who has often boasted about his connections with high-profile city and state officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, was also ordered to pay $85,000 in restitution and forfeit $95,000.
Judge Schofield remarked on the lack of remorse shown by Whitehead, stating, “I don’t see any remorse for your conduct.” She described the evidence against him as “frankly overwhelming,” highlighting his fraudulent applications for loans and his perjury during the trial.
Whitehead, who led the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Canarsie, Brooklyn, was convicted on March 11 of wire fraud, attempted extortion, lying to the FBI, and other charges. His schemes, which began in 2018, involved swindling tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
One of the victims, Pauline Anderson, testified that Whitehead convinced her son, a volunteer at his church, to trust him with $85,000 of her retirement savings. The money, intended for buying and renovating a home, was instead spent on designer clothing, a BMW, and other personal expenses.
Anderson, 58, expressed her anguish in court, saying, “What I was left with was nothing.” She described the emotional, physical, and financial turmoil caused by Whitehead’s actions, adding that the incident “broke my heart, my spirit, and my soul.”
Her son, Rasheed Anderson, spoke about the impact on their family, noting that his mother had worked tirelessly to save enough to buy her own home. “It hurts me as her son to see her like this,” he said. “We have been emotionally devastated.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek Wikstrom argued for a substantial sentence, describing Whitehead as a con man who abused the trust of his churchgoers. He highlighted Whitehead’s lack of remorse and his attempts to silence his victims through lawsuits.
“He purports to be a religious leader while stealing from people,” Wikstrom said. “It’s outrageous.”
During the sentencing, Whitehead, dressed in beige prison clothing and shackles, spoke for about 20 minutes. He described his harsh treatment at the Metropolitan Detention Center and pleaded for leniency, citing his role as a father and his contributions to the community.
Whitehead’s defense attorney, Dawn Florio, announced plans to appeal the sentence. She described Whitehead’s tough upbringing and the traumatic experiences he endured, including his father’s killing by the NYPD when he was six months old and being held up at gunpoint during a live-streamed sermon in 2022.
Florio argued that Whitehead was targeted by federal authorities due to his close relationship with Mayor Adams. Jurors heard how Whitehead used his ties to the mayor to solicit a $500,000 real estate investment from a Bronx businessman, claiming that Adams was his “key to the city.”
Mayor Adams, who was not accused of any wrongdoing, wished Whitehead well, stating, “Bishop Whitehead is in my prayers, and I wish the best for him.”
