Brooklyn preacher gets nine years in prison for fraud

NEW YORK (AP) — A flashy Brooklyn preacher who has played up connections to New York City's mayor was sentenced Monday to nine years in prison for multiple frauds.

Lamor Miller-Whitehead, 45, of Paramus, New Jersey, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by Judge Lorna G. Schofield, who said she didn't see meaningful remorse from the Rolls Royce-driving bishop convicted of fleecing one parishioner out of $90,000 in retirement savings, among other scams.

In a rambling statement, Miller-Whitehead claimed he was “very remorseful” but boasted of his good deeds for his community and expressed regrets about his trial, prompting the judge to interrupt him with a reminder that sentencing isn't a time to relitigate the case.

“The jury heard the evidence. The jury rendered its verdict,” she said.

In March, a jury convicted Miller-Whitehead of all charges, including wire fraud, attempted extortion and making false statements.

Schofield said the preacher committed perjury when he testified.

She said a significant prison sentence was necessary because there was a high probability that Miller-Whitehead would commit crimes in the future, particularly because previous convictions for similar crimes did not deter him from committing more crimes.

“You don't seem to have an appreciation of the impact of your crimes,” Schofield said.

“Your honour, I am an honourable man and my children need me,” he said as he asked to be spared a prison term and requested to become the “poster child of another chance.”

Miller-Whitehead developed a friendship with Mayor Eric Adams while Adams served as Brooklyn's borough president before his election to the city's top job. Prosecutors contended that Miller-Whitehead used the name of Adams to commit fraud and attempted extortion. Adams was not accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

Miller-Whitehead mentioned Adams during his remarks before the sentence was announced.

Asked about the sentence during an unrelated news briefing Monday, Adams said, “Bishop Whitehead is in my prayers and I wish the best for him.”

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