He was called the ‘Bling Bishop.’
New York City pastor Lamor Whitehead, often referred to as the “Bling Bishop,” has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for multiple financial crimes, despite vehemently denying his involvement in them. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the sentencing, which also includes three years of supervised release, restitution of $85,000, and a fine of $95,000.
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Whitehead was convicted of wire fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements to federal agents. Williams characterized Whitehead as a “con man” who engaged in various fraudulent schemes, including misappropriating $90,000 from a parishioner intended for a home purchase to use as a down payment on a $4.4 million mansion in New Jersey. Additionally, Whitehead attempted to extort $500,000 from a body shop owner by falsely promising access to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Lorna Schofield follows Whitehead’s trial and conviction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office statement detailed that Whitehead misrepresented his financial status, claiming substantial assets and income to secure loans and other financial benefits.
Despite the conviction, Whitehead has consistently proclaimed his innocence. After his conviction, he took to social media, posting on Instagram that “the story isn’t over,” expressing confidence in divine vindication, and urging his followers to stay tuned for what he termed “truth and vindication.”
Whitehead gained notoriety as the “Bling Bishop” due to his lavish lifestyle, which included expensive jewelry. His lifestyle attracted national attention when he was robbed at gunpoint in 2022, during a church service where masked gunmen stole valuable jewelry from him and his congregation.
This recent conviction and sentencing are not Whitehead’s first legal troubles. In 2006, he was arrested for involvement in a $2 million identity theft scheme, for which he served a five-year prison sentence before being released in 2013. Throughout both cases, Whitehead has maintained his innocence, asserting that he was wrongly accused and convicted.
The case underscores ongoing debates about the misuse of trust and financial responsibility within religious and community leadership roles, raising questions about accountability and ethical conduct in such positions of authority.