There’s an old saying that goes, “All that glitters is not gold,” and this couldn’t be more apt when we look at the recent arrest of Lamor Whitehead. Known as the “Bling Pastor” of New York City, Whitehead seemed to be more in love with wealth than his supposed dedication to his parishioners.
He was recently apprehended by federal authorities for allegedly defrauding his flock to the tune of over a hundred thousand dollars – funds intended for the church. If proven guilty, this allegedly deceitful pastor faces up to sixty-five years in prison, a startling example of misuse of religious authority.
Whitehead, who once enjoyed the prestige of heading the Leaders of Tomorrow International Church in Brooklyn, now stands accused of serious crimes. Despite his attorney’s declaration of his innocence, the federal agents are firm in their belief that he committed the alleged offenses. The charges against him include two counts of wire fraud, extortion, and making false statements.
The “Bling Pastor” was a proponent of the prosperity gospel, a philosophy urging people to donate generously to his cause, promising divine blessings in return. His church embraced tithes and offerings from believers nationwide. It’s troubling to think of the misplaced faith of those who were merely seeking spiritual fulfillment.
Whitehead made headlines earlier this year, ironically as a victim of crime. While he was delivering a live-streamed sermon, two men robbed him at gunpoint. These men have since been arrested and will face trial in 2023. However, this incident doesn’t absolve Whitehead of his alleged misconduct.
Of note, Whitehead isn’t a stranger to the penal system. He served two years in state prison on multiple charges of identity fraud and grand larceny, before being released early in 2006 for good behavior. This history only adds to the complexity of his current predicament.
The charges leveled against him on Monday were truly shocking. Whitehead is accused of duping one of his devoted church members out of roughly $90,000 from her retirement fund. He allegedly promised to use these funds to secure a home for her, but it seems the money was spent on lavish items and personal extravagances instead.
The federal authorities maintain that there were multiple interactions between Whitehead and the victim and her son, primarily through text messages and online communication. They wired tens of thousands of dollars across state lines to Whitehead, believing that their generosity would earn them spiritual blessings.
While the victim wasn’t explicitly named by the federal authorities, it’s hard not to notice the uncanny similarity to a civil lawsuit filed in the summer of 2022 by Pauline Anderson. Her claims in the Brooklyn Supreme Court indicate that she turned to Leaders of Tomorrow International Church in 2020 while recuperating from surgery.
Anderson’s case reveals a disturbing manipulation. She confided in Whitehead about her struggle to meet her mortgage payments, and he, as the church pastor, offered assistance. Despite her initial reservations, she handed over her life savings to him, trusting in his status as a “man of the cloth” who had previously helped her son find housing. She is now seeking $1 million in damages for this alleged scam.
This situation serves as a stark reminder to be wary of those who exploit their positions of trust and power for personal gain. It’s a critical lesson in discernment, particularly when our hard-earned money and spiritual beliefs are at stake.
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Source: AWM
it reminds me of pastor Joel Osteen with his TEN MILLION DOLLAR MANSION
when I first saw this “pastor”, I knew something was off