New York Mayor Eric Adam’s Bishop friend was arrested by Federal officers after being accused of fraud and for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
New York Bishop Lamor Whitehead was also arrested with charges of defrauding a 56-year-old congregant of her life savings and for bullying a businessman for $5,000.
“FBI arrested Bishop Lamor Whitehead on Monday, charging him with allegedly fleecing a 56-year-old parishioner of her life savings, extorting a businessman, and lying to federal agents. The allegations against Whitehead were first reported by us in July,” the City reported.
In an official statement released by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, he claimed that “As we allege today, Lamor Whitehead abused the trust placed in him by a parishioner, bullied a businessman for $5,000, then tried to defraud him of far more than that, and lied to federal agents.”
Amid the controversy, the Bishop has also been linked to Mayor Eric Adams.
FBI arrested Bishop Lamor Whitehead on Monday, charging him with allegedly fleecing a 56-year-old parishioner of her life savings, extorting a businessman, and lying to federal agents. The allegations against Whitehead were first reported by us in July. https://t.co/tQTkSA0BEX— THE CITY (@THECITYNY) December 21, 2022
Reports claimed that Bishop Lamor Whitehead has been a friend of the NYC Mayor. In 2015, the latter introduced Whitmore on stage as a “good friend and good brother” during his campaign while running for Brooklyn Borough President.
After the friendship between the two resurfaced, Mayor Adams’ spokesperson released a statement from Adam, in response to Whitehead’s arrest.
“While these allegations are troubling, I will withhold further comment until the process reaches its final conclusion.” Adams claimed.
According to the reports, Whitehead has lived a luxurious lifestyle while serving as the Bishop of Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches in Canarsie.
The Bishop was also popularly known as the “bling” pastor because of his love for expensive jewelry and for riding around in his Rolls Royce.
Early this year, Whitehead was robbed of his jewelry at gunpoint while giving a sermon.
“A Brooklyn bishop was robbed at gunpoint as he was delivering a sermon on Sunday, with the thieves making off with jewelry worth more than $1 million. Lamor Whitehead was robbed of his chains, cross, wedding ring and watch,” the Telegraph reported.
However, after he was charged with fraudulent activity, many started to think that the robbery looked sketchy and may even be a set up to secure insurance funds.
