A flamboyant Brooklyn pastor known as the “Bling bishop” has been sentenced to nine years in prison for schemes that included preying on the bank account of one of his own followers.
Lamor Whitehead, a New York preacher known for his flashy lifestyle, was found guilty in March of wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal investigators.
Prosecutors argued that Whitehead, 45, used his position as a religious leader to fleece people out of money to fund his lavish lifestyle.
Whitehead made headlines in 2022 after he was robbed at gunpoint during a live-streamed sermon. The thieves made off with $1m (£840,000) in watches, diamonds and emeralds.
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, called Whitehead a “con man” and said the sentence marks the end of his “various schemes”.
Isn’t that the job of every religious leader? To get their parishioners to give up their money? Christianity has it built right in with the 10% tithe.
Yeah it is, but prosperity gospel preachers turn that dial up to 1100/10 compared to your local spiritual grifter with even a thin veneer of legitimacy.
It’s supposed to pay reasonable bills and feed, clothes, shelter people and comfort prisoners, but you know…I think we should do that with tax dollars and mutual aid/donations but that’s just me.