NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) —Lamor Miller-Whitehead, Brooklyn preacher who boasted of his friendship with New York City’s mayor, was found guilty in federal court Monday of wire fraud, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI.

Miller-Whitehead, 47, was found guilty of five counts after a trial in federal court in Manhattan that began late in February.

Prosecutors had argued he exaggerated ties to Mayor Eric Adams and looted a parishioner’s retirement savings and tried to extort a businessman to fuel a lavish lifestyle.

An attorney for Miller-Whitehead, Dawn Florio, said an appeal is likely.

Miller-Whitehead made headlines in July 2023 when armed bandits crashed his church service and robbed him of $1 million in jewelry.

Prosecutors alleged Miller-Whitehead bilked a parishioner out of $90,000 in retirement savings, falsely promising he would find her a home and invest the remainder in his real estate business. Prosecutors say he spent the money on luxury goods and clothing.

He also was accused of trying to convince a businessman to lend him $500,000 and give him a stake in real estate deals by claiming his ties to city officials could earn favorable treatment for the businessman’s interests.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 1.

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