Theodore Parisienne/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Bishop Lamor Whitehead, also known as the “Bling Bishop,” has been sentenced to prison time. The ruling comes three months after he was convicted on fraud and extortion charges.
Additionally, the bishop’s legal team has issued a statement in response to the ruling.
According to the New York Daily News, Bishop Whitehead was sentenced to nine years in prison on Monday, June 17.
Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lorna Schofield handed down the sentence after the bishop was convicted of frauding an elderly parishioner “out of her life savings” in March, per The Shade Room. PIX11 notes that the bishop reportedly defrauded the woman out of $90,000.
Additionally, the sentence was handed down to the bishop for his alleged participation in “other scams.” PIX11 notes that these include “fraudulently applying for a $250,000 business loan using doctored bank statements” and “extorting a businessman for $5,000.”
The New York Daily News notes that instead of admitting to his alleged wrongdoing, throughout the trial, the bishop “namedropped a laundry list of city and state officials he’d dealt with.” He reportedly boasted of his relationships with figures such as Mayor Eric Adams, the state Attorney General Letitia James, and others.
“I don’t see any remorse for your conduct,” Judge Schofield reportedly told Bishop Whitehead during his sentencing.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams reportedly shared a statement in response to the bishop’s sentencing.
“Lamor Whitehead is a con man who stole millions of dollars in a string of financial frauds and even stole from one of his own parishioners,” Williams asserted. “He lied to federal agents, and again to the Court at his trial. Today’s sentence puts an end to Whitehead’s various schemes and reflects this Office’s commitment to bring accountability to those who abuse their positions of trust.”
PIX11 reports that Bishop Whitehead will also serve “three years of supervised release” after his prison time. In addition, he has reportedly been ordered to pay “$85,000 in restitution and forfeit $95,000.”
Social media users entered The Shade Room’s comment section to react to the bishop’s sentence.
Instagram user @rollitupk wrote, “He would’ve got 5 but They gave him an extra 4 years for that fendi suit.”
While Instagram user @shulerking added, “Question: Will a man rob God? Answer: Yes, and he will get 9 years.”
Instagram user @justinblu_ wrote, “& he would’ve gotten away with it if it weren’t for those meddling kids”
According to PIX11, Bishop Whitehead’s attorney, Dawn Florio, also reacted to his sentencing. Florio noted her and her team’s “dedication” to “proving” the bishop’s “innocence.”
“We will explore all available legal avenues to ensure that justice is served,” Florio stated, per the outlet. “Our dedication to proving Bishop Whitehead’s innocence is unwavering, and we will immediately begin the appeal process.”
As The Shade Room previously reported, Bishop Whitehead was convicted on fraud and extortion charges on March 12.
Afterward, the 46-year-old shared his reaction via social media.
On May 20, the New York Post reported that Bishop Whitehead was “sent to federal lockup” that same day. The outlet asserted that the judge determined his charge of “attempted extortion” required him to be placed in jail ahead of his sentencing.
“This is, in sum, a mandatory detention case,” prosecutors reportedly wrote in a court filing on May 14.
At the time, the outlet reported that the bishop faced “up to 85 years behind bars.”
