A Manhattan federal jury convicted Brooklyn pastor Lamor Whitehead on all five counts at the end of the Lamor Whitehead trial in March 2024, and U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield sentenced him to nine years in federal prison three months later. The counts covered fraud against a parishioner, an attempted extortion built on claimed political access to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a fabricated loan application, and lies to federal agents.
The Five Federal Counts
A grand jury in the Southern District of New York charged Whitehead with two counts of wire fraud, one count of attempted wire fraud, one count of attempted extortion under the Hobbs Act, and one count of making false statements to federal agents.1U.S. Department of Justice. Lamor Whitehead, Brooklyn Church Leader, Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud, Extortion, and Making False Statements Each wire fraud count carried a statutory maximum of 20 years, as did the Hobbs Act count. The false statements count carried up to five years.
The Three Schemes the Government Proved
Prosecutors organized their case around three distinct victims.
A Parishioner’s Retirement Savings
Whitehead persuaded a member of his own Brooklyn congregation to give him roughly $90,000 from her retirement savings on the promise that he would help her buy a home. He spent the money on luxury goods and personal expenses instead, and did not return it when she asked.1U.S. Department of Justice. Lamor Whitehead, Brooklyn Church Leader, Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud, Extortion, and Making False Statements
Extortion of a Businessman
Whitehead extorted $5,000 from a businessman and then pressed him for a $500,000 loan and stakes in real estate deals. In exchange, he promised to deliver favorable government action through his supposed closeness to Mayor Eric Adams, telling the man that Adams would meet “with whoever I need him to.” Prosecutors argued the political influence he was selling did not exist.1U.S. Department of Justice. Lamor Whitehead, Brooklyn Church Leader, Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud, Extortion, and Making False Statements
A Falsified Loan Application
The government also introduced a $250,000 business loan application supported by doctored bank statements. The fabricated documents claimed Whitehead held millions of dollars in his accounts and was pulling in hundreds of thousands of dollars in monthly revenue. None of it was true.
How the Defense Argued It
Defense attorney Dawn Florio tried to reframe the parishioner’s payment as a loan or gift rather than money earmarked for a home purchase, which would remove the fraudulent intent the government needed. The defense also attempted to shift responsibility for the parishioner’s loss onto her son.
Whitehead testified in his own defense. On cross-examination, prosecutors pushed him on his claims of access to city officials and drew out contradictions in his account. Judge Schofield later found that he had committed perjury on the stand.
The Verdict
After a roughly two-week trial, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on March 11, 2024, convicting Whitehead on every count.1U.S. Department of Justice. Lamor Whitehead, Brooklyn Church Leader, Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud, Extortion, and Making False Statements
The Sentence
On June 17, 2024, Judge Schofield sentenced Whitehead to nine years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. She also ordered $85,000 in restitution to the victims and $95,000 in forfeiture.1U.S. Department of Justice. Lamor Whitehead, Brooklyn Church Leader, Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud, Extortion, and Making False Statements
The nine-year term sits well below the combined statutory maximums because federal sentences are driven by the Sentencing Guidelines, which weigh the total financial loss and the defendant’s criminal history. The judge also factored in the perjury finding. The defense had asked for no prison time, citing charitable work in the community. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Whitehead “lied to federal agents, and again to the Court at his trial.”
Appeals and Current Status
Two weeks after the verdict, on March 25, 2024, the defense filed motions for acquittal or a new trial, including a challenge to venue in the Southern District of New York tied to which Federal Reserve Bank handled the relevant wire communications. Those motions were denied. Whitehead then asked to be released on bail pending appeal; the Second Circuit refused. As of late 2025, he remained in federal custody and was still pursuing bond through appellate counsel, with no relief granted.