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Lamor Whitehead

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Lamor M. Whitehead, also known as "Pastor Bling Bling", (born April 30, 1978) is an American Protestant pastor, scammer, and convicted felon, known also for his close relationship with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his ostentatious displays of wealth. In 2022, the high-profile pastor was robbed during a live-streamed service in Brooklyn. He was convicted of fraud in May 2024 and is currently jailed in New York. On June 18, 2024, he was sentenced to 9 years for fraud.

Lamor Whitehead
Born
Lamor M. Whitehead

(1978-04-30) April 30, 1978 (age 46)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
OrganizationLeaders of Tomorrow International Churches
Criminal penaltyFive years at Sing Sing Correctional Facility
Criminal statusConvicted felon
SpouseAsia DoeReis-Whitehead
Children3
Websitelotichurches.org

Early life and education

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Whitehead was born in 1978. He claims he is the son of Arthur Miller, Jr. who died in police custody following a traffic stop, however, Arthur Miller Jr. only has one son (who was 12 years old when his father was murdered) according to his surviving family’s website. At the time of his death, Arthur had 4 children ages 8-16.[1] Following high school, Whitehead secured athletic scholarship offers from Shaw University and Farmingdale University[2] before studying accounting and videography at Eastern New Mexico University. Following his return to New York, he began a career as a mortgage broker.[1]

Whitehead later studied at New York Theological Seminary. He completed his studies with a Ministry in Human Services certificate from the Theological Institution of Rising Hope Inc., which is accredited through Nyack College. He is a licensed New York State Chaplain and a certified marriage and funeral officiant.[2]

Loan default, arrest, and conviction for identity theft

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In 2004, Suffolk County, New York police received complaints from nine residents claiming that their identities were being used to purchase Range Rover cars. After arresting one suspect, the newly formed Identity Theft Investigation Unit began to pursue Whitehead, who had shared the same address as the first suspect.[3]

The following year, Whitehead took a $200,000 personal loan from conductor Maximo Bragado-Darman and his son, Julio Bragado-Young. According to a lawsuit, Whitehead promised to repay the loan in one month along with $25,000. Whitehead defaulted and Bragado-Darman successfully sued Whitehead in 2008 for $306,000.[1] As of 2022, Whitehead continues to owe Bragado-Daman $261,000 following a court judgement.[4]

Later in 2005, Whitehead was living in Teaneck, New Jersey.[5] Following a criminal complaint, he was arrested by the Suffolk County Police Department's Identity Theft Unit in Upper Manhattan while driving a maroon Range Rover. Following the arrest, police discovered that Whitehead was operating an extensive fraud and identity theft operation to take out more than $2 million in loans and purchase motor vehicles. More than 50 victims were identified from states including Tennessee, Georgia, and New York. Whitehead was charged with multiple counts of identity theft[3] and convicted in 2008.[6] He served five years in Sing Sing Correctional Facility before being released in 2013.[7]

Whitehead filed for personal bankruptcy in 2006.[1]

2022 robbery and aftermath

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Whitehead and his wife were robbed at gunpoint in July 2022. Thieves allegedly stole jewelry, which Whitehead alleged to have included a Cuban link chain valued at $399,000 and a Rolex watch valued at $75,000.[6] The event took place while Whitehead was leading services at his Leaders of Tomorrow International Church in Brooklyn and was streamed live. In September that year, two men were arrested and charged with the robbery. The suspects were also charged with conspiracy and possession of firearms.[8] A third suspect was shot and killed by U.S. Marshals in January 2024 at a South Brunswick, New Jersey inn.[9]

Following the robbery, Whitehead sued a local radio host for $50 million, claiming that the host defamed him during her program while making comments about the robbery.[10]

2024 fraud conviction

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In 2021, Whitehead was sued in New York by a former congregant who claimed he defrauded her of $90,000.[7] According to the complaint, in November 2020, Whitehead promised to assist Pauline Anderson in improving her credit score as well as purchasing and renovating a house in exchange for a $90,000 investment. Whitehead further promised to repay Anderson in full as well as $100 each month until the property was fully renovated. Further, Anderson claims in the complaint that in May 2021, Whitehead texted her and said the $90,000 was not an “investment”, but rather a “campaign contribution” that Whitehead was under no obligation to repay.[11]

Whitehead denied the accusations in court and proclaimed to his social media followers that he was innocent, including flashing confidential court documents on camera during a livestream ahead of the trial conclusion.[12][13] He was convicted and remanded to jail in May 2024.[14][15] On June 17, 2024, Whitehead was sentenced to 9 years in prison.[16]

He had initially sued comedian Tasha K for accusing him of fraud.[17] However, the judge dismissed the case citing that the comedian was telling the truth.[18]

Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches

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Whitehead founded the Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches in March 2014.[citation needed]

Friendship with Eric Adams and political aspirations

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Eric Adams and Whitehead struck up a friendship that goes back to 2013. While Adams was Brooklyn Borough President, Whitehead appeared by his side at numerous high-profile events beginning in 2016. During Adams' campaign for Borough President, Whitehead falsely claimed that he had created a collaborative justice initiative with the Brooklyn District Attorney.[19] In August 2013, Adams introduced Whitehead at a concert, calling the pastor “my good friend and good brother.” Whitehead used this to start a bogus youth program.[4]

Whitehead ran for Brooklyn Borough President in 2021.[2]

In 2022, Whitehead was thought to have worked with Adams to arrange the surrender of man suspected of shooting another rider on the subway.[20] Whitehead arrived for the surrender at a Manhattan police precinct driving a gray Rolls-Royce.[21]

Personal life

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Whitehead became well known for his ostentatious displays of wealth in his relatively modest neighborhood of Canarsie.[22] In addition to owning a large wardrobe, Whitehead has been known to drive around New York in a Rolls-Royce.[23][24]

Along with his conviction for identity theft, Whitehead was arrested twice in 2015 on claims of child abuse and violating an order of protection. Charges in all cases were dismissed.[4] Whitehead owes over $65,000 in child support to his first wife, Iaesha.

Whitehead is a cousin of musician Foxy Brown.[4] None of Whitehead’s immediate family members have confirmed that he’s related to the rap star Foxy Brown.

Whitehead is married to Asia DosReis-Whitehead and has three children.[2]

In April 2015, Asia DoeReis-Whitehead was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and was hospitalized for many months. Following her recovery, she formed the nonprofit organization[25] UaReACHAMPION Empowerment Network.[26]

Real estate holdings

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Whitehead owns a mansion in Paramus, New Jersey.[27] The home is 9,000 square feet with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.[6] Whitehead purchased the home in 2019 for $1.64 million and put it on the market in 2022 for $2.99 million, making it the most expensive listing in the town at the time.[28]

In 2021, Whitehead, through his company Whitehead Estates LLC, completed the purchase of a series of apartments in Hartford, Connecticut. He took out a mortgage of $4.15 million for the purchase and borrowed an additional amount in February 2022, raising the total debt to $4.5 million.[7] Whitehead’s property in Connecticut was foreclosed on April 29, 2024, and his Paramus, NJ, property was foreclosed on May 31, 2024.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Miller-Bradford, LoLisa (August 4, 2022). "A Daughter Never Forgets Foundation". Our History. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Quinn, Anna (June 15, 2021). "BK Borough President Race: Lamor Miller-Whitehead Seeks Seat". Bed-Stuy, NY Patch. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Kelleher, Jennifer Sinco (January 31, 2006). "An Identity Crisis". Newsday. Retrieved August 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d Gonen, Yoav (October 17, 2016). "Ex-con using Eric Adams ties to push youth program's bogus claims". New York Post. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Crowely, Kieran (January 31, 2006). "MINK & FLEECE; 'HIGH ROLLER' BUSTED IN $2M ID THEFT". New York Post. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Zuylen-Wood, Simon van (December 5, 2022). "The Story of the Bishop Robbed During His Church Service". Intelligencer. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c Gonen, Yoav; Joseph, George (July 28, 2022). "Brooklyn Pastor Robbed During Sermon Stole Parishioner's Savings, Lawsuit Alleges". The City. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  8. ^ "Two men arrested over mid-sermon livestream robbery of extravagant Brooklyn pastor". The Independent. September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Man wanted for 2022 robbery fatally shot by U.S. Marshals at hotel in NJ: Law enforcement sources". ABC 7. January 24, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Rohrlich, Justin (November 9, 2022). "Brooklyn's 'Bling Bishop' Sues Local Radio Host for $50 Million". The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  11. ^ "Pauline Anderson v. Lamor Whitehead and Lamor Whitehead, Inc". Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings. September 9, 2021.
  12. ^ DeGregory, Priscilla (July 28, 2022). "BK bishop who was robbed stole congregant's retirement savings: suit". New York Post. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. ^ Janoski, Steve (May 20, 2024). "Judge orders 'Bling Bishop' Lamor Whitehead to jail ahead of sentencing because he was found guilty of 'crime of violence'". New York Post. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "'Bling Bishop' Jailed for Bond Violation Before Fraud Sentencing". BKReader. May 21, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  15. ^ May 20, Samantha MaxPublished; 2024Share (May 20, 2024). "'Bling Bishop' claims innocence on podcasts, violates bond and gets sent to jail". Gothamist. Retrieved June 7, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Zraick, Karen (June 17, 2024). "The 'Bling Bishop' Is Sentenced to 9 Years for Fleecing His Flock". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  17. ^ https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-why-bishop-lamor-whitehead-sue-tasha-k-details-explored-celebrity-gossip-blogger-wins-360-million-lawsuit
  18. ^ Cole, Alexander (August 6, 2024). "Tasha K Scores Huge $360 Million Win Against Bishop Lamor Whitehead". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Rosa, Jazmin; Gonen, Yoav (November 2, 2016). "Eric Adams stands by ex-con who pushed bogus youth program claims". New York Post. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  20. ^ Chang, Clio (May 26, 2022). "The Strange Case of the Mayor, a Bishop, and the Alleged Q Train Shooter". Curbed. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  21. ^ Fenton, Reuven; Marino, Joe; Moore, Tina; Fitz-Gibbon, Jorge (May 24, 2022). "Suspect in NYC subway shooting Andrew Abdullah charged with murder". New York Post. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  22. ^ Velsey, Kim (July 29, 2022). "Bishop Lamor Whitehead Owns a Lot of Real Estate. Or Does He?". Curbed. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  23. ^ "'Central Park Five' conviction overturned". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  24. ^ Zuylen-Wood, Simon van (December 5, 2022). "The Story of the Bishop Robbed During His Church Service". New York Magazine. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  25. ^ "Uareachampion Empowerment Network Group Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  26. ^ "Brooklyn pastor uses near-death, paralyzing experience to create empowerment organization". News 12 - The Bronx. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  27. ^ Gonen, Yoav; Joseph, George (July 29, 2022). "Brooklyn Pastor Pleads for Sympathy in Wake of Sermon Robbery, Won't Discuss Debts". The City. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  28. ^ Zap, Claudine (August 30, 2022). "Controversial Brooklyn Pastor Lamor Whitehead Selling $3M New Jersey Mansion". Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
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