Bling – USMAIL24.COM

‘Bling Bishop’ who bragged about ties to Eric Adams has been convicted of fraud

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:22:31 +0000

Lamor Whitehead, a Brooklyn pastor known as the “bling bishop” for his ostentatious luxury assets, was convicted Monday in Manhattan federal court of defrauding a parishioner and trying to extort a businessman, while bragging about his ties to Mayor Eric Adams.

Mr. Whitehead, 45, was found guilty on five charges, including wire fraud, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. Prosecutors said Mr. Whitehead, who had previously been convicted of identity theft, had lied and threatened to force his victims to hand over money. him money, and misrepresented his relationship with the mayor.

“He lied about access, he lied about influence, he lied about everything,” prosecutor Derek Wikstrom said in his closing argument.

The government said Mr. Whitehead persuaded the parishioner, Pauline Anderson, to invest about $90,000 of her retirement savings with him — and then spent the money on car payments and goods from Louis Vuitton and Foot Locker. Other charges relate to his interactions with Brandon Belmonte, who ran an auto body shop in the Bronx. Mr. Whitehead tried to force Mr. Belmonte to lend him $500,000 while promising access to Mr. Adams, prosecutors said.

In the defense’s closing arguments, Declan Murray, one of Mr Whitehead’s lawyers, compared criminal trials to the process of buying a house. He accused the government of – the house, in this analogy – being poorly built and infested with termites.

But the jury was not swayed by the defense.

Mr Whitehead’s sentencing is set for July 1.

Mr. Whitehead had considered Mr. Adams, 63, a former Brooklyn borough president, a mentor. The younger man tried to follow in his footsteps and launched a bid to become Brooklyn borough president in 2021. But Mr. Adams would not support Mr. Whitehead — and even admonished him for using his name in a “misleading” campaign ad, according to text messages shown by prosecutors during the trial.

Mr Murray responded that Mr Whitehead had only said he could get a meeting with Mr Adams “faster than most people” – and that statement, he claimed, was true. But prosecutors also showed other messages from Mr Whitehead to Mr Adams in early 2022 that went unanswered.

That was an eventful year for Mr. Whitehead. In May, he was in the news when he reportedly tried to negotiate the surrender of a man who fatally shot a Goldman Sachs employee on a Q train in broad daylight.

In July, three masked gunmen robbed Mr. Whitehead and his wife of expensive jewelry during a service at his church, Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries, which was located above a Haitian restaurant in Canarsie, Brooklyn. The service was streamed live and the video made news across the country.

He was subsequently arrested in December. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said at the time that the case was being investigated by the office’s Public Corruption Unit.

A 2023 superseding indictment added a charge stemming from a $250,000 loan Mr. Whitehead took out for his company, Anointing Management Services LLC. Prosecutors said he forged bank documents for the filing, claiming the company had annual sales of $6 million. The indictment stated that Mr. Whitehead also used forged bank statements to purchase his spacious home in Paramus, NJ.

“The numbers are made up,” Mr. Wikstrom said.

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The newlyweds! Adele beams at basketball game with Rich Paul after ‘confirming’ secret marriage (but keeping her wedding bling under wraps)

Sabir Ansary — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 06:07:37 +0000

By Carly Johnson for Dailymail.com

Published: 00:51 EST, November 23, 2023 | Updated: 01:03 EST, November 23, 2023

Adele and Rich Paul were the picture of bliss for the newlyweds as they watched the LA Lakers take on the Dallas Marvericks in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old singer shocked fans when she seemingly confirmed she secretly married the sports agent, 41, by recently calling him her “husband.”

The couple – who got engaged earlier this year after two years of dating – sat courtside for the big match at the Crypto.com arena.

Adele appeared to be wearing a shiny gold wedding ring, which she did her best to hide under the cuff of her knitted sweater.

The Rolling In The Deep hitmaker had a glow about him and couldn’t stop smiling during their night out.

Newlywed bliss: Adele and Rich Paul were the picture of newlywed bliss as they watched the LA Lakers take on the Dallas Marvericks in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Married: The singer, 35, shocked fans when she seemingly confirmed she secretly married the sports agent, 41, by recently calling him her ‘husband’

The ring? Adele appeared to be wearing a shiny gold wedding ring, which she did her best to hide under the cuff of her knitted sweater

For the occasion, Adele dazzled in a cozy yet stylish cream-colored sweater and green cargo pants.

The multi-Grammy Award winner wore her golden hair in a sleek bun and shiny gold earrings from Bottega Veneta, which retail for $1,350.

She had an elegant Hermes bag on her lap and she wore white sneakers.

Rich was photographed several times trying to contain his laughter after Adele whispered something funny in his ear during the game.

He was dressed casually in a black zip-up jacket, faded black jeans and a black cap with a green peak.

It turned out to be a star-studded evening, as the likes of Queen Latifah and Lil Wayne also grabbed courtside seats.

Courtside: The couple – who got engaged earlier this year after two years of dating – sat courtside for the big match at the Crypto.com arena

Glowing: The Rolling In The Deep hitmaker had a glow all over him and couldn’t stop smiling during their night out

Cozy chic: for the occasion, Adele shone in a cozy but stylish cream-colored sweater and green cargo pants

Outburst: Rich was photographed several times trying to hold back his laughter after Adele whispered something funny in his ear during the game

Designer’s darling: The multi-Grammy Award winner wore her golden hair in a sleek bun and shiny gold earrings from Bottega Veneta, retailing for $1,350

Casual-cool: Rich was dressed casually in a black zip-up jacket, faded black jeans and a black cap with a green peak

Star-studded: The game attracted a number of celebrity guests

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Lara Worthington is divided over her diamond teeth bling debut

Sabir Ansary — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 08:42:14 +0000

Lara Worthington is divided over her $4,200 diamond teeth debut: ‘How ridiculous’

By Caleb Taylor for Daily Mail Australia

published: 04:23 EDT, Jun 25, 2023 | Updated: 04:30 EDT, June 25, 2023

Lara Worthington debuted teeth bling from the early 90s and 2000s.

The model, 36, took to Instagram to share the design created by Gabby Elan Jewelry, worth $4,200.

Lara shared two photos of the dazzling creation in close-up shots that divided opinion.

Not a fan at all. I’m surprised you’re going for this look,” wrote one fan who clearly disapproved of the trend.

“So terribly wrong!!!” another wrote. “How ridiculous,” he added.

Lara Worthington has divided opinion after she debuted her new diamond teeth bling. pictured

However, not everyone hated them and some fans kept cooing about the shiny teeth.

“Woah, now I want them,” one fan wrote. “That looks great,” added another.

“Looking good my friend,” yet another wrote, tagging Gabby.

Fans had mixed opinions about the bling, with some calling it “ridiculous” while others said the model inspired them to buy a pair

According to Gabby’s website, each diamond spacer costs $700 each.

Lara along with actor husband Sam Worthington has been busy during the shows for Paris Fashion Week.

The stylish pair has been spotted at the OTW By Vans Party at Point Alexandre III.

Lara seemed pleased with the bling when she took a closer look

According to Gabby’s website, each diamond spacer costs $700 each

Lara and Sam have three sons: Rocket, seven, Racer, six, and River, two.

The family spent most of 2021 in Australia after living in the US for several years.

The family has since returned to America and lives in New York City.

Lara and Sam have three sons: Rocket, seven, Racer, six, and River, two. The family spent most of 2021 in Australia after living in the US for several years, but they have since returned to America and live in New York City

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Bling Empire’s Leah Qin says ‘fake drama’ that ‘perpetuated Asian stereotypes’ caused cancellation

Sabir Ansary — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 12:33:52 +0000

Netflix pulled the plug on Bling Empire and its spin-off Bling Empire: New York earlier this year.

But Leah Qin – who starred in the original show in LA – was “not surprised” about the cancellation, blaming “fake fabricated drama” for the downfall.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the gorgeous 26-year-old real estate investor explained, “Bling Empire only showed the glamor and the perpetuated Asian stereotypes. This was not the reality.

“There have been quite a few successful Asian films in Hollywood lately. Asian Americans are great. Instead of the glamor and fake made-up drama, I think the public would like to see a show about how we got there.”

Bling Empire’s Leah Qin, 26, told DailyMail.com exclusively that she was “not surprised” the show had been canceled by Netflix

Leah (with Bling cast – left to right – Don Morris, Mimi Morris, Christine Alexandra Chiu, Gabriel Chiu, Devon Diep and Kevin Kreider) says the show “perpetuated Asian stereotypes”

“I know people liked the first season of the show. Not so much two and season three,” Leah said of the now-cancelled Netflix series

Leah further discussed Bling Empire with DailyMail.com, saying: “I know people liked the first season of the show. Not so much two and season three. I’m not surprised. I’m not at all surprised the show hasn’t been renewed.”

The hit show, which ran on Netflix for three seasons, featured an all-Asian cast. It followed a group of super-rich Asian Americans as they navigated their way through life.

According to Leah, “There are several reasons [why the show was not renewed]. I like the authentic stuff and of course the drama could be more real. I don’t like the drama and the show was just that.

“It’s a very complicated feeling for me. I have high hopes for what the show showed leading Asian American lives.

“Because I grew up with no money, we put a lot of sweat and effort into getting where we are today. I would have liked to see a piece of this. To me it’s a shame because there were a lot of meaningful conversations we had while filming.

‘I enjoyed filming, but we couldn’t control how it got on TV. People edited it so that it was all twisted.”

She continued, “Right now there are a lot of shows showing the flashy life. There are some that look flashy. In the real world, there are a lot of people whose day-to-day lives are not about showing people how much money they have.’

Looking back, Leah said starring in Bling was a “learning process.”

Leah (pictured in 2022) told DailyMail.com: ‘Instead of the glamor and fake made-up drama, I think audiences would like to see a show about how we got there’

Sadly, Leah’s co-star Anna Shay (pictured) passed away last week from a stroke aged 62, making her “realize that your health and your happiness are the most important things ever”

DailyMail.com has reached out to Netflix for comment.

Unfortunately, Leah’s co-star Anna Shay passed away last week from a stroke at the age of 62.

Adding to Leah’s turmoil, her own father also suffered a stroke earlier this week and she is currently by his side in China.

“Anna’s passing made me realize that your health and your happiness are the most important things ever,” she told DailyMail.com.

“It is heartbreaking for the friends and family, but everyone is responsible for their own lives. I think Bling also had to show the struggle.

“Anna was a caring lady who cared about others, but she was struggling herself and had her own things to deal with.”

Leah said she has already put plans in motion to fight the stereotypes – with her own reality show showing the “real” lives of Asians who are “struggling” to achieve success and wealth in America.

‘My own show is about entrepreneurs. They have their drama, but they are leaders. I can’t tell you the cast, but I can tell you that everyone is googleable. A lot of them are from San Francisco,” she said.

The self-made real estate tycoon (pictured in June with other cast members) said: “I enjoyed filming it, but how it appeared on TV was beyond our control. People edited it like that’

“I think this will be inspiring to the audience. At the moment, there are many shows that show the flashy life and money. There are quite a number of people whose daily life is not like that.’

Leah asked, “Would you like to see a man wearing glasses who spent the last ten years building a technology company? What if this guy has a mansion and cars, but as soon as he opens his mouth, girls run away?’

“I grew up with no money and had to fight to survive. It takes a lot more sweat and effort to get to where we are today. I’m going to show some of this.’

According to her IMDb, Leah created her own wealth as a “real estate developer who began her career in China, where she worked for some of the top real estate developers in the country.”

“She later transferred her career to the United States where she is now thriving as a businesswoman,” it continued.

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