A Brooklyn bishop, Lamor Miller-Whitehead, was sentenced on Monday, June 17th, to nine years in prison for engaging in multiple financial fraud crimes that netted him millions, as announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
The 46-year-old head of the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries church was convicted in March of wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, attempted extortion, and making false statements to federal law enforcement agents.
The federal prosecution detailed that Whitehead, who gained notoriety following a highly-publicized armed robbery during a church service in 2022, exploited his pastoral position to orchestrate a series of fraudulent schemes.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “Lamor Whitehead is a con man who stole millions of dollars in a string of financial frauds and even stole from one of his own parishioners.”
Williams added, “He lied to federal agents, and again to the Court at his trial. Today’s sentence puts an end to Whitehead’s various schemes and reflects this Office’s commitment to bring accountability to those who abuse their positions of trust.”
Whitehead persuaded a parishioner to invest $90,000 from her retirement savings with him, promising to help her buy a home. However, he spent the money on luxury goods and personal expenses.
According to court documents, the bishop lived a lavish lifestyle, including residences in upscale neighborhoods and luxury vehicles, funded by his illicit activities.
His crimes ranged from extorting money under false pretenses to submitting fraudulent loan applications that misrepresented his financial status to secure large sums from financial institutions.
The court has also mandated Whitehead to three years of supervised release post-incarceration and ordered restitution payments of $85,000 and the forfeiture of $95,000.
Defense attorney Dawn Florio expressed deep dissatisfaction with the sentencing outcome, reaffirming their commitment to Miller-Whitehead’s innocence.
“We are deeply saddened by the outcome; however, our resolve to prove Bishop Miller-Whitehead’s innocence remains firm, and we will promptly commence the appeal process,” Florio stated.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the bishop’s previously high-profile victimization in 2022, where he and his wife were robbed at gunpoint during a live-streamed church service, losing over $1 million in jewelry.
