In a stunning turn of events, Lamor Whitehead, once known as "Bishop," is now inmate number 98765. The Daily News reports that Whitehead has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of scams, including swindling a parishioner's mother out of her life savings. Whitehead's conviction includes charges of wire fraud, attempted extortion, lying to the FBI, and related offenses stemming from three separate schemes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Greenwood highlighted the deep betrayal felt by Whitehead's community. "The defendant was trusted by many in his community. He was the bishop of a small church in Brooklyn and a self-described businessman. He was a friend to the mayor of New York City," Greenwood said. Whitehead's abuse of this trust was particularly egregious as he lied to his congregation about his connections with powerful figures in Hollywood to gain access to their finances.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Whitehead's crimes was his exploitation of an elderly mother of one of his church members. Whitehead convinced her to hand over $90,000 of her life savings, promising to use the money to purchase and renovate a home for her. Instead, Whitehead spent the money on designer clothes and a BMW. The elderly woman, who believed she was investing in her future and becoming a spiritual adviser, was left betrayed and financially devastated.
Whitehead's fraudulent activities extended beyond his congregation. He attempted to extort $5,000 from a car repairman and even fabricated bank documents to secure a $250,000 loan. These schemes reveal a pattern of deceit and manipulation that ultimately led to his downfall.
Whitehead's conviction and nine-year prison sentence serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of betraying the trust of those who look up to you. As he transitions from the title of "Bishop" to inmate number 98765, the community he once led will have to rebuild and heal from the deep wounds left by his actions.
