Bishop Lamor Whitehead indicted on fraud, extortion charges
NEW YORK - The Brooklyn pastor who was robbed of expensive jewelry during a livestreamed church service has been indicted on federal charges.
The U.S. attorney's office says Bishop Lamor Whitehead is accused of fraud, extortion and lying to the FBI.
The normally flashy Whitehead was silent outside federal court as his attorney denied all fraud allegations against him. The Brooklyn pastor, known for delivering sermons in designer suits and lavish jewels at Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, is being accused of obtaining part of his wealth illegally.
"He is not guilty of these charges we are going to vigorously defend these accusations," attorney Dawn Florio said.
According to an unsealed indictment, Whitehead asked for money and other things of value from victims using threats and false promises. He allegedly convinced a parishioner to invest $90,000 of her retirement savings with him, but spent it all on himself. He is also accused of extorting a businessman of $5,000, then convincing the victim to lend him half a million more and give him a stake in real estate transactions in return for favors from the city government which Whitehead knew he could not deliver.
Whitehead was arrested Monday morning and pleaded not guilty in court before he was released on $500,000 bond.
Whitehead made news repeatedly this year. First in July, when masked robbers stole an estimated one million dollars worth of jewelry from him during a live-streamed service. Then In September, he was briefly detained after clashing with a woman who interrupted him mid-sermon.
"He feels that he is being targeted and being turned into a villain from a victim," Florio said.
The bishop has a criminal history and was convicted on 17 counts of fraud back in 2008.
The 45-year-old is now charged with two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements.
