American preacher Bishop Lamor Miller-Whitehead, nicknamed the ‘bling bishop’, appeared in court on Monday, following accusations he defrauded a single mother out of her life savings before going on a lavish shopping spree.
The Rolls Royce-driving founder of Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches faced the start of jury selection two years after charges of wire fraud, attempted extortion and falsifying statements. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The court heard from the government prosecutor that the “con man” told “lie after lie to victim after victim” committing “crime after crime to make money.”
Prosecutors say Lamour, known for his extravagant spending habits, defrauded an elderly parishioner out of $90,000, with the promise of a home investment, instead spending it on designer clothes and a BMW.
The so-called bling bishop has also been accused of falsifying bank statements to secure a loan of $250,000.
In a third case against Lamour, an auto body shop alleges the pastor tried to extort him for $5,000 after a repair job.
Miller-Whitehead, who was arrested in December 2022, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently free on $500,000 bail.
This is the latest in a string of legal battles the preacher has faced in recent years. In 2023, he faced a lawsuit over claims he locked congregation members out of a Brooklyn church. In the same year he was hit with allegations that he ran a fraudulent donor scheme during his failed 2021 campaign for Brooklyn borough president.
