Bling Bishop in $1m Jewelry Robbery Accused of Fraud and Extortion
December 22, 22
(IDEX Online) - A flamboyant pastor who was robbed at gunpoint of $1m of jewelry during a live-streamed sermon has been indicted on fraud and extortion charges.
Lamor Miller-Whitehead, 45, of Paramus, New Jersey, dubbed the Bling Bishop by newspapers, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count of extortion, all of which carry a maximum 20-year sentence. He's also charged with one count of making material false statements.
He is alleged to have induced one of his parishioners to invest approximately $90,000 of her retirement savings with him but instead spent the investment on luxury goods and other personal purposes, according to the US Attorney's Office.
He is also alleged to have extorted a businessman for $5,000, then attempted to convince him to lend him an additional $500,000.
In June, Miller-Whitehead, who goes by the title bishop, said a raider brandishing a gun took off his bishop's ring and chain, his wedding ring, and chains he was wearing underneath his clerical robe during a service at his Leaders of Tomorrow church, in Brooklyn, New York.
He and his wife reported having lost Rolex and Cavalier watches, a $25,000 Episcopal ruby and diamond ring, a $25,000 pair of earrings and a wedding band, according to the New York Post.
In October two men were arrested in connection with the alleged offence.
Video grab from church's website shows Lamor Miller-Whitehead during his live-streamed sermon