BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Bishop Lamor Miller Whitehead hosts a tribute to Biggie Smalls on March 09, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York, New York. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Bishop Lamor Whitehead is back outside following an arrest on Monday (Dec. 19). Whitehead is facing two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making false statements to the FBI.
But, on Tuesday, Bishop Whitehead took to his Instagram account to clapback at the charges in a 15-minute video. He opted for a cream suit jacket and dark brown turtleneck rather than his usual luxury print suits or large, diamond chain. He sported an iced-out watch on his right wrist and a large gold ring with a ruby on his left finger.
The church leader emphasized that an arrest doesn’t translate to guilt, which the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York already established in their arrest statement.
“The bishop was arrested, and everybody is coming up with some type of opinions and advice, but imma tell y’all today that the bishop is not guilty and I’m gonna fight it,” Whitehead said. “I have the right legal team, and most importantly, I have God.”
He named his family, including his parishioners, as his support system and thanked those who offered theirs. And for people with questions regarding the charges and his arrest, he emphasized that he is innocent.
“First of all, I want to say that I’m not guilty,” Lamor said. I want to make that clear y’all. That’s why I have a smile on my face. I’m in amazing spirit, I’m great and I’m not guilty.”
Again, he resorted to thanking his wife, Asia DosReis-Whitehead, his family, and his Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches parishioners. He declared that they are familiar with who he “really is.”
Meanwhile, the D.A.’s office alleges Whitehead defrauded a former parishioner out of $90,000. Pauline Anderson filed a lawsuit against Lamor in 2021, saying he convinced her to liquidate her savings to help her buy a home but instead used her money on personal expenses.
In a separate incident, authorities say Whitehead defrauded a businessman out of $5,000 and attempted to squeeze another $500,000 from him. Additionally, the arrest statement says he lied to the FBI about having two phones during an investigation.
In their arrest statement, the D.A.’s office declared that Whitehead’s “campaign of fraud and deceit stops now.” FBI Assistant Director Michael Driscoll also spoke on Whitehead’s charges.
“As we allege today, Whitehead carried out several duplicitous schemes in order to receive funds from his victims. Additionally, when speaking with authorities, Whitehead consciously chose to mislead and lie to them. If you are willing to attempt to obtain funds through false promises or threats, the FBI will ensure that you are made to face the consequences for your actions in our criminal justice system,” Driscoll said.
As the video continued, Whitehead spoke about having God on his side and how no one could be against him because of it. He flashed smiles and released chuckles throughout the video as he recited Bible scriptures, explained his innocence, and urged people to let his legal team do their jobs.
He referred to his church robbery and how people speculated he was involved until police arrested two of the men who allegedly committed the crime in September.
“I want y’all to really stay focused in this season, stay firm in this season. We have to understand we have a purpose, we have a process, we have a promise. I’m living my purpose, I’m going through my process to enter my promise. And I want you guys to allow me and my family to have peace,” Whitehead said.
Lamor added that he received death threats and wishes against him and his family after the robbery and involvement speculations. However, he’s hoping for a different outcome this time as he undergoes the legal process.
“A lot of you might not like me cause you don’t understand me, but I want y’all to give me an opportunity, give me a chance so that you guys can understand who Bishop Whitehead is: a man of excellence, a man of integrity,” Whitehead said. “And if I wasn’t a man of God the enemy wouldn’t be fighting me like he is.”
Watch his complete statement below:
