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Lamor Whitehead, known as New York's "Bling Bishop," has been sentenced on fraud and extortion charges.
On Monday (June 17), U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced that Whitehead was sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of one count of making false statements to the FBI, one count of attempted extortion, one count of attempted wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud in March, per PIX11 News.
During a two-week trial, Whitehead, pastor at Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, was accused of convincing a parishioner to give him $90,000 of her retirement fund under false promises of helping her purchase a new home. The bishop reportedly used the money to pay for luxury items.
According to prosecutors, Whitehead also attempted to extort $5,000 from a businessman identified as Brandon Belmonte. He later tried to convince the man “to lend him $500,000 and give him a stake in certain real estate transactions" in exchange for “favorable actions” from New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
“Lamor Whitehead is a con man,” Williams said in a statement.
Whitehead is still maintaining his innocence, according to his attorney, Dawn Florio.
“We will explore all available legal avenues to ensure that justice is served. Our dedication to proving Bishop Whitehead’s innocence is unwavering, and we will immediately begin the appeal process,” Florio said.
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