Controversial Brooklyn Bishop Lamor Whitehead was laying low at his gaudy New Jersey McMansion Tuesday, at some point after getting slammed with federal expenses for allegedly scamming a member of his congregation.
Whitehead, 44, was holed up at house Tuesday morning earlier than he briefly emerged from the sprawling, two-story brick home round midday to inform a Publish reporter to scram — and yelled out “Not responsible!” when pressed concerning the allegations lodged by Manhattan federal prosecutors Monday.
“Everyone who bought arrested just isn't responsible,” mentioned Whitehead, who was sporting designer garments, together with Gucci sneakers and a big belt, additionally by the posh label. “OK, brother?”
At one level, a black Chevy Suburban pulled proper as much as the door of the mansion so Whitehead may hop inside unseen — solely to return moments later as a result of he forgot one thing on the home.
A white Rolls-Royce SUV and a white Mercedes G Wagon have been additionally parked within the drive of the Paramus, NJ, mansion.
Paramus police have been later known as to the home, entering into to talk to Whitehead after which telling The Publish, “He mentioned he doesn’t wish to speak to you guys.”
The flashy Brooklyn pastor, who made headlines earlier this yr when he was robbed at gunpoint whereas delivering a sermon, was charged Monday with allegedly scamming a parishioner out of $90,000 and blowing it on luxurious items.
The parishioner informed the feds that Whitehead promised her he would use the cash to purchase her a house — a promise he allegedly by no means fulfilled.
He’s additionally charged with extortion in one other rip-off, through which he allegedly acquired $5,000 from an area businessman and requested for a $500,000 mortgage, promising to make use of his affect to get “favorable actions” from town in actual property offers.
Property information present that Whitehead purchased the six-bedroom, seven-bath Paramus home in 2019 for $1.64 million.
The 6,200-square-foot house sits on lower than half an acre, and is at the moment price greater than $2.8 million, in keeping with Zillow and Trulia.
Whitehead, who motors round in a Rolls-Royce and sometimes wears glittery jewellery, faces as much as 65 years in federal jail if he's convicted of the federal expenses, prosecutors mentioned.
He pleaded not responsible at his arraignment and was launched on a $500,000 bond.
His lawyer, Daybreak Florio, denied the allegations exterior the courthouse.
“We're vigorously going to defend these accusations,” Florio mentioned. “We really feel that he's being focused and he's being turned from a sufferer right into a villain.”
The flamboyant pastor boasts ties to Mayor Eric Adams however was additionally convicted of id theft expenses in 2006 for utilizing victims’ private info to purchase automobiles and bikes.
He was sentenced to 30 years in state jail however was launched for good habits in 2013.
Whitehead can also be named in a lot of civil lawsuits, together with one filed by a former marketing campaign employee who claims the bishop bilked him out of $56,000.
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