The Brooklyn pastor who on Tuesday made a failed try at arranging the alleged Q-train shooter’s give up is an ex-convict with ties to Mayor Eric Adams, with whom the controversial clergyman claimed to have spoken whereas the suspect was on the free.
The Rolls Royce-driving Bishop Lamor Whitehead served a five-year jail sentence for a number of counts of id fraud and grand larceny and was launched in 2013, earlier than forming a relationship with Adams.
Whitehead, of Leaders of Tomorrow Worldwide Church buildings in Canarsie, appeared at greater than a dozen high-profile occasions with Adams attended whereas within the Brooklyn borough president publish he held for eight years earlier than being elected mayor in 2021.
The Submit reported in 2016 that Whitehead had been helped by public assist proclaimed by the retired NYPD captain, who launched him at a live performance that 12 months in East Flatbush as “my good pal and good brother.”
Whitehead — who was busted in 2006 for a $2 million identity-theft rip-off and was ordained as a bishop a decade later — used the native limelight Adams supplied to advertise and lift cash for Leaders of Tomorrow Brooklyn, a for-profit agency he launched in early 2014 that billed itself as a youth mentorship non-profit.
However in November 2014, the Brooklyn District Lawyer’s workplace despatched Whitehead a cease-and-desist letter after he promoted a collaborative justice initiative with the prosecutor that didn’t really exist. The NYPD and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce additionally pushed again towards Whitehead’s claims that they have been partnering together with his group on initiatives.
Whitehead’s authorized troubles additionally didn't cease after serving 5 years behind bars at Sing Sing.
On July 1, 2015, Whitehead was arrested for allegedly hitting his then 7-year-old son, in keeping with a parole violation “launch report” beforehand obtained by The Submit. The case was dropped after officers discovered no possible trigger to prosecute, in keeping with the state Division of Corrections and Neighborhood Service.
Months later, Whitehead was arrested in Uniondale, LI, for violating an order of safety, in keeping with Nassau County police.
And as The Submit reported in 2016, Whitehead had been noticed driving round Brooklyn in a Maserati and a Bentley — regardless of owing $261,000 for an excellent 2009 court docket judgment over an unpaid private mortgage.
Whitehead’s more moderen run-ins with the legislation got here after in 2006 the stolen Land Rover-driving New Jersey resident was arrested by police in Manhattan for a $2 million identity-theft rip-off utilizing the names of Brooklynites and Lengthy Islanders.
The then-27-year-old was charged with 10 counts of id theft for allegedly focusing on 5 victims in Suffolk County for a complete of $250,000. Police believed he in Brooklyn swindled about $500,000 by stealing identities and acquiring traces of credit score from monetary establishments.
On the Teaneck house, cops discovered a stolen 9mm pistol and a bulletproof vest, a detective revealed on the time.
Brian Etta, a former volunteer for Adams’ marketing campaign who individually sued Whitehead in 2007, advised The Submit in 2016, “I’m shocked from what I learn about Eric [Adams] … that he would have a man like Lamor Whitehead linked in any manner, not to mention intently.”
Nonetheless, Adams stood by Whitehead, evaluating the clergy member’s rap sheet to his personal arrest as a young person when he was brutally crushed by NYPD officers inside a precinct after breaking right into a intercourse employee’s Queens house.
“I used to be arrested at 15 years previous … and since individuals embraced me once I was arrested, I embrace Lamor Whitehead,” Adams mentioned throughout a November 2016 press convention. “I'll proceed to present him the assist and steerage that was given to me to turn out to be a cop, a state senator and a borough president.”
Requested in regards to the bishop being accused of hitting his 7-year-old son, Adams replied by noting that Whitehead wasn’t prosecuted and that the fees have been dropped.
“We don't discover individuals responsible primarily based in your opinion, however by the best prison justice system recognized to man,” mentioned the then-BP. “So he didn't do it.”
In recent times, the pastor at Leaders of Tomorrow Worldwide Church buildings has regularly praised Adams on social media.
Final 12 months, on his 1.6 million-follower Instagram account, Whitehead repeatedly labeled the then mayoral candidate a “mentor and pal” as he urged his followers to vote for Adams.
“Congratulations To My Mentor, Pal And Somebody Who I Can Say Actually Assist Me Change into A Man!” he gushed on July 7, the day after he was declared winner of the Democratic mayoral main.
“As we speak Is Election Day🔥🔥🔥 I Want Each To Go Out And Vote NYC FOR MY MENTOR AND FRIEND ERIC ADAMS @ericadamsfornyc,” he posted on Nov. 2, the day of the final election. “He Has Taught Me Rather a lot And I Imagine He Is The Man For The Job.”
His Instagram presence additionally included an October 2021 publish when he wrote “Homosexuality Ought to Not be Allowed In The Pulpit” whereas selling a day Instagram dwell session.
The Brooklyn pastor additionally launched a political profession of his personal, working an unsuccessful 2021 Brooklyn borough president bid, a place now held by former Metropolis Councilman Antonio Reynoso.
An Adams rep declined to offer touch upon his current relationship with Whitehead.
On Tuesday, Whitehead was concerned in an effort to orchestrate the give up of Andrew Abdullah, a 25-year-old repeat offender who ended up being arrested at his lawyer’s workplace. Abdullah, who had 19 prior arrests, was first named Monday as an individual of curiosity within the random Sunday morning slaying of Daniel Enriquez, a 48-year-old Goldman Sachs banker and Park Slope resident.
Police introduced Tuesday afternoon that Abdullah was charged with second-degree homicide for the broad-daylight deadly capturing in addition to second-degree prison possession of a weapon.
Extra reporting by Bernadette Hogan and Reuven Fenton
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