After the controversial robbery of Bishop Lamor Whitehead, NYC Mayor Eric Adams extended his support in finding the alleged bandits. However, he reminded the bishop he is not above the law in regards to the lawsuit heโs facing and also rejected Whiteheadโs suggestion for special clergy gun permits following the incident, according to the NY Daily News.
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Donโt get too comfortable Mr. Bishopโฆ
According to the report, Adams and Whiteheads are good friends. However, when asked about whether clergy should be given special dispensation for gun permits, the mayor answered with a simple โNo.โ Whiteheadโs argument was that if teachers were able to have special permits given the spike in mass shootings, pastors should as well.
Bishop Whitehead also gathered some criticism immediately following the sympathies for the robbery after Pauline Anderson filed a civil suit against him. However, Adams said heโs siding with the law in that case.
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โThe bishop lost his dad โ Arthur Miller was his name โ during a police incident,โ Adams said during an unrelated press conference in the Bronx. โI have always maintained relationships with people who have gone through traumatic experiences. My goal is to mentor people who go through crisis.โ
Adamsโ support didnโt come without a caveat, though.
Asked whether his longtime relationship with Whitehead might change if the allegations against him are substantiated, Adams wouldnโt offer specifics, but noted that โno one is above the law.โ
โWe all have to follow the law. I spent my life enforcing the law,โ Adams, a former NYPD captain, responded. โI will continue to say to all New Yorkers โ friends and foes and allies and enemies โ that you have to follow the law. And I think we have a great system to determine whether someone violated the law.โ
One thing about Mayor Adams is that he values law and order. Thereโs no report of whether Whitehead expected any special treatment from the mayor but itโs not like the bishop doesnโt see himself as holier than thou. Though, the two did work together earlier this year with the apprehension of alleged subway shooter Andrew Adbullah, according to ABC 7 News.
According to the NY Daily News, Whitehead went to prison before he tookย the pulpit due to identity theft. Regarding Andersonโs lawsuit, the mayor said heโs unaware of any criminal investigations into the matter.
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