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“Bling” Bishop Lamor Whitehead — the flashy Brooklyn pastor who was robbed at gunpoint during a church service earlier this year— was arrested by federal agents Monday for allegedly scamming a member of his congregation, among other charges.

Whitehead — who preaches a “prosperity gospel,” drives a Rolls-Royce and often wears pricey jewelry and Gucci suits — was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements for lying to the FBI, federal prosecutors said.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.

The feds allege Whitehead, 44, swindled one of his parishioners out of $90,000 of her retirement savings by promising to use the cash to buy her a home — and instead blowing it on luxury goods and clothing, according to the indictment.

In another alleged scheme, he extorted a businessman for $5,000 and asked the man to lend him $500,000 — promising he could “obtain favorable actions by the New York City government” in exchange for the cash and interest in real estate transactions, the indictment states.

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Lamor Whitehead leaves federal court after his arraignment on Monday.
Lamor Whitehead leaves federal court after his arraignment on Monday.Gregory P. Mango
Whitehead, pictured with his lawyer Dawn Florio, faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.
Whitehead, pictured with his lawyer Dawn Florio, faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.Gregory P. Mango
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Whitehead was released on $500K bond.Gregory P. Mango
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“His campaign of fraud and deceit stops now,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after Whitehead’s arrest.

“If you are willing to attempt to obtain funds through false promises or threats, the FBI will ensure that you are made to face the consequences for your actions in our criminal justice system,” FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll added in a statement.

Whitehead pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Manhattan federal court and was released on $500,000 bond.

The preacher, who lives in New Jersey, will also have his travel restricted to the tri-state area as part of his bond package. 

Outside of court, Whitehead, wearing a white sweatshirt, cap and camouflage pants stood by his attorney, Dawn Florio, who said her client denied the charges. 


  Whitehead faces a maximum of 65 years in prison for the charges. Paul Martinka Whitehead faces a maximum of 65 years in prison for the charges. Paul Martinka

“We are vigorously going to defend these accusations. We feel that he is being targeted and he is being turned from a victim into a villain,” Florio said. 

“This all stems out of a civil lawsuit that is being handled in civil court. He will be vindicated,” she added. 

Florio appeared to be referring to a 2021 Brooklyn Supreme Court suit brought by parishioner Pauline Anderson, 56, who accused Whitehead of swindling her out of her life savings.

Anderson says Whitehead convinced her to liquidate her life savings and pay him a $90,000 “investment” in November 2020 with the promise that he would buy and renovate a home for her. Instead, he used the funds for a down payment on a $4.4 million home for himself in Saddle River, NJ, the suit alleges.


  Brooklyn Bishop Lamor Whitehead is known for riding around in a Rolls Royce. Paul Martinka Brooklyn Bishop Lamor Whitehead is known for riding around in a Rolls Royce. Paul Martinka

Whitehead made headlines earlier this year when three suspects burst into his church, Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Canarsie, during a live-streamed service and robbed him at gunpoint of jewelry estimated to be worth up to $1 million.

Two men, Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, both 23, were charged in Brooklyn federal court for the brazen July 23 stick-up. Their trials are scheduled to begin early next year. 

The flamboyant pastor has had ties to Mayor Eric Adams since at least 2013 and also made headlines in May when he tried to negotiate the surrender of an accused subway shooter and claimed to have spoken with Hizzoner while the suspect was on the loose.

Whitehead was convicted of identity theft charges brought by state prosecutors in 2006 for using the personal information of several people to buy cars and motorcycles. 

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Whitehead's ring
Whitehead drives a Rolls-Royce and often wears pricey jewelry and Gucci suits.Paul Martinka
Whitehead's expensive watch
“His campaign of fraud and deceit stops now,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement after Whitehead’s arrest.Paul Martinka
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He was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, but was released for good behavior in 2013. 

Whitehead, who faces a number of civil suits, launched an unsuccessful campaign for Brooklyn borough president in 2021 – and one of his former campaign workers now claims he stiffed him out of $56,000. 

He called the campaign worker’s suit “frivolous.”

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