As Whitehead recalled, at the beginning of the robbery, Pollack was positioned at the back of the church—with guns drawn and pointed toward the deacons. Then, two other men came to the front of the church. “If anything would have gone different, there could have been casualties,” Whitehead said.
Whitehead mentioned a third suspect, Shamar Leggette, who escaped the scene and has not yet been found. Leggette allegedly had a gun pointed towards Whitehead’s wife and 8-month-old daughter.
“He’s been on the run for a long time. And he has now committed more robberies,” Whitehead said, sharing how Leggette is also wanted in Rhode Island for an armed robbery in which he allegedly shot a person. Whitehead shared his gratefulness that the outcome was different at Leaders of Tomorrow International Church. “God favored the ministry,” Whitehead said.
“I believe I have to go through this, so that I can be a testament for those who need to hear my testimony to get through their trying times,” Whitehead continued. “If Job didn’t go through what he had to go through, how could we reflect on the Book of Job?”
Bishop Lamor Whitehead Continues To Receive Support and Criticism
With nearly 4,000 views, Whitehead’s Facebook Live video received hundreds of likes and comments. Many provided support and encouragement to Whitehead and his family. Others thanked God for his work.
Before and after the robbery, Whitehead has been at the center of multiple disputes, something he resents. “I don’t see y’all talking about Joel Osteen,” Whitehead has said.
A New York radio station covered the story of the robbery, with added criticism. Whitehead responded with his own $50 million lawsuit for defamation. In September 2022, Miss Jones, a radio announcer, called Whitehead a “drug dealer” who was “using the church to hide that old drug money,” among other accusations.
Whitehead has also been arrested due to his conduct. He was handcuffed and detained after forcefully removing a disruptive woman from a church service. Moreover, Whitehead has been accused of stealing $90,000 from an elderly congregant in his church.
In a statement regarding another extortion claim from a local businessman, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “Lamor Whitehead abused the trust placed in him by a parishioner, bullied a businessman for $5,000, then tried to defraud him of far more than that, and lied to federal agents. His campaign of fraud and deceit stops now.”
Earlier this year, Whitehead alleged he could exert influence over New York City mayor Eric Adams to advance business interests. This was just months after he was charged with fraud and lying to federal agents.
