Countless pastors urged their congregants to give generously to the church, yet Lamor Whitehead, also known as New York City’s “Bling Pastor,” was apprehended by federal agents after deceptively siphoning off over a hundred thousand dollars in contributions intended for his spiritual organization. A conviction would see him locked away for up to sixty-five years – an unthinkable betrayal of those who trusted and followed him on their path toward God.
Despite his lawyer’s claims of Whitehead’s innocence, federal agents are convinced that he is guilty as charged. He was indicted on two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements.
Whitehead was widely recognized as the leader of Brooklyn’s Leaders of Tomorrow International Church, which welcomed donations and contributions from people all over the country. Through his sermons, he often promoted the idea that believers could receive God’s blessings by making financial offerings to support his mission. This doctrine became known as prosperity gospel.
Whitehead, the leader of the Leaders of Tomorrow International Church may not be a household name yet, however, you likely remember his name in connection with an unfortunate incident this past year; he was a victim of armed robbery while delivering sermons live via streaming. The two assailants have been apprehended and will face trial next year 2023 for their offense.
Furthermore, Whitehead had previously been convicted of multiple counts of identity fraud and grand larceny in 2006. As a result, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment before being released for good behavior earlier than expected.
On Monday, charges were filed accusing Whitehead of duping one of his most devoted followers out of a whopping $90,000 in retirement savings. As he preached, the misled victim believed that these funds would be put towards purchasing her a new home. However, rather than using them for this purpose as promised – it is said that Whitehead squandered all the money to buy luxurious items and clothing for himself!
According to federal authorities, Whitehead had multiple conversations with the victim and her son via text message and online. Desperate for a blessing from a higher power, the woman and her son sent tens of thousands of dollars across state lines to Whitehead in return.
Although the victim was not identified by federal authorities, the details of this case appear to align with a civil lawsuit brought forth by Pauline Anderson in the summer of 2022.
Anderson took her case to the Brooklyn Supreme Court, claiming that in 2020 she encountered Leaders of Tomorrow International Church while she was recuperating from surgery. At church, Anderson revealed to the pastor how difficult it was for her to foot her mortgage and he sympathized with her by offering assistance.
When Pastor Whitehead demanded her life savings, she was initially unsure. Nevertheless, the pastor had previously aided her son in obtaining housing and because of this, she ultimately chose to trust him with all of her retirement funds.
Anderson was claiming $1 million in reimbursement as a result of the alleged scam.
