(NewsWorthy.news) – During the first day of his trial on fraud and extortion charges, the so-called “Bling Bishop” of Brooklyn denied accusations that he stole from parishioners to pay for his wealthy lifestyle.
Lamor Miller-Whitehead, a preacher in New York City known for his connections to Democratic Mayor Eric Adams and his lavish living, is on trial for federal charges of wire fraud, making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and attempted extortion. He is accused of stealing from his own parishioners to fund his personal expenses.
The 47-year-old preacher—who was indicted on fraud and extortion charges in December 2022—has entered a plea of not guilty on all charges. His trial, which began on February 26, started out with blunt accusations from prosecutors and equally defiant rejections from the defendant’s attorney.
Jessica Greenwood, assistant attorney for the United States, informed jurors on day one of the trial that Miller-Whitehead had lied to a parishioner’s mother to persuade her to give him some of her savings for retirement, tried to extort a businessman and lied about his actions to the FBI.
Greenwood specified that the preacher had promised a single mother he would help her find a new place to live if she entrusted $90,000 to him. But prosecutors argued that he instead spent the money on himself.
Additionally, Miller-Whitehead was accused of using his relationship with Mayor Adams as a promise of business favors with the owner of a local body shop if the businessman would give him $500,000. Adams and Miller-Whitehead have been friends since the mayor was in the role of president for the borough of Brooklyn, prior to his role as NYC mayor.
The bishop’s attorney, Dawn Florio, rejected the accusations on his behalf, citing a “lack of evidence” in the case brought on by the federal government. She said that Miller-Whitehead had not cheated the single mother. Additionally, Florio said that while allegations that he had attempted to extort the businessman are false, the complaint should be seen as a civil matter instead of a criminal case.
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