Lamor Miller-Whitehead, a bishop from New Jersey robbed of $1 million worth of jewelry during a live-streamed sermon, has been indicted on fraud and extortion charges, according to IDEX Online.
The Paramus-based pastor, dubbed the “Bling Bishop” by the media, is accused of having induced a woman in his parish to invest approximately $90,000 of her retirement savings with him – which he then spent on luxury goods, among other things. He is also accused of extorting a businessman for $5,000 and then attempting to extort another $500,000.
The US Attorney’s Office is charging the pastor with two counts of wire fraud, one count of extortion, and one count of making material false statements.
Miller-Whitehead gained some online notoriety when, in June, he was robbed at gunpoint during a live sermon. The pastor was “relieved” of his ring and chain, his wedding ring, and chains he was wearing underneath his clerical robe during a service at his Leaders of Tomorrow church, in Brooklyn, New York. According to a report in the New York Post quoted by IDEX Online, he and his wife reported having lost “Rolex and Cavalier watches, a $25,000 Episcopal ruby and diamond ring, a $25,000 pair of earrings and a wedding band.” Two men were arrested for the robbery in October.
