Brooklyn preacher convicted of fraud, extortion

A Brooklyn preacher, Lamor Miller-Whitehead, was on Monday found guilty in the federal court of wire fraud, attempted extortion, and lying to the FBI.

According to the Associated Press on Tuesday, following a trial that commenced late last month in federal court in Manhattan, 47-year-old Miller-Whitehead was found guilty on five counts.

Prosecutors argued that he exaggerated his connections to Mayor Eric Adams and succumbed to greed, letting greed overtake him as he looted a parishioner’s retirement savings and tried to extort a businessman to fuel his lavish lifestyle.

Additionally, he was accused of lying to FBI agents by denying possession of a second cellphone.

Miller-Whitehead’s attorney, Dawn Florio, stated their intention to appeal the verdict, maintaining that the evidence presented during the trial didn’t support the charges.

In July, Miller-Whitehead gained attention when bandits interrupted his church service and robbed him of $1 million worth of jewelry.

Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, Miller-Whitehead often drove a Rolls Royce and resided in a $1.6 million home in Paramus, New Jersey, with records indicating ownership of apartment buildings in Hartford, Connecticut.

Prosecutors alleged that Miller-Whitehead deceived a parishioner into surrendering $90,000 from her retirement savings, falsely promising to secure housing for her and invest the remainder in his real estate ventures.

Instead, they claimed, he squandered the funds on luxury goods and clothing.

He was also accused of convincing a businessman to lend him $500,000 and give him a stake in real estate deals by claiming his ties to city officials could earn favourable treatment for the businessman’s interests.

While serving as Brooklyn’s borough president, Adams developed a close relationship with Miller-Whitehead.

However, Adams, a former police captain, has since said he spent decades enforcing the law and expects everyone to follow it.

Miller-Whitehead’s sentencing is scheduled for July 1.