NEW YORK (AP) — The chief of a New York Metropolis church the place pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed provocative scenes for a music video was stripped of his duties Monday after church officers stated an investigation revealed different cases of mismanagement.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was relieved of “any pastoral oversight or governance role” at his church situated within the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan stated in a press release issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
An investigation launched after the video revealed that Gigantiello made unauthorized monetary transfers to a former high aide in New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which is being investigated on fees of corruption, Brennan stated.
Taylor Hill through Getty Photos
“I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish,” the bishop stated. “In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish.”
Gigantiello’s administrative powers have been taken away after Carpenter’s video for her hit track “Feather” sparked criticism final November.
The priest has now additionally been reduce from his pastoral duties, giving Mroziewski “complete authority over the parish,” together with on liturgical issues, although Gigantiello will nonetheless be capable to say Mass with Mroziewski’s approval, stated diocese spokesperson Adriana Rodriguez.
Brennan, who oversees Catholic church buildings within the New York Metropolis boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, stated he additionally relieved a deacon who had been appointed as a brief administrator through the investigation. He stated the deacon had used racist and different offensive language throughout non-public conversations within the parish workplace that had been secretly recorded at Gigantiello’s course.
Gigantiello didn’t reply to e-mail and Fb messages in search of remark Monday.
Launched on Oct. 31, 2023, the “Feather” music video revolves round males behaving badly towards Carpenter earlier than assembly grisly deaths.
At factors within the video, the previous Disney Channel star is seen pulling as much as the distinctive brick church in a pink hearse after which dancing in entrance of the church’s ornate altar carrying a brief black costume and a black veil alongside a colourful array of fake coffins.
The diocese on the time stated it was “appalled” and that correct procedures for filming had not been adopted.
Moreover relieving Gigantiello of administrative duties, Brennan additionally dropped him from fundraising duties as vicar of improvement for the diocese and carried out a religious ceremony to revive the sanctity of the church.
In a letter to parishioners final November, Gigantiello stated approving the filming was a “lapse in judgment” and maintained he wasn’t current on the time and didn’t understand how provocative the shoot could be.
On Monday, Brennan stated a broader evaluation uncovered different cases of administrative impropriety.
Amongst them is an ongoing investigation into Gigantiello’s use of a church bank card for “substantial” private bills, he stated.
From 2019 to 2021, the monsignor additionally transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to financial institution accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, Adams’ former chief of workers, Brennan stated.
The bishop stated Gigantiello failed to hunt prior approval for the transactions and didn’t correctly doc them, in violation of the diocese’s funding insurance policies and protocols.
Carone’s legislation agency repaid $1 million of the funds, together with about 9% curiosity, based on Brennan. Gigantiello additionally requested early reimbursement for the rest, however with out the substantial curiosity referred to as for below the mortgage notes, the bishop stated.
Federal investigators have subpoenaed the Brooklyn church in search of details about Carone and Gigantiello’s monetary dealings, although neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Brennan burdened the diocese is “fully committed” to cooperating with legislation enforcement in its investigations.
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Carone didn’t reply to an e-mail in search of remark, however Gigantiello has defended his stewardship, telling The Metropolis, an area information outlet, that the investments have been authorized and yielded a big return for the church.
In the meantime, the commotion set off by her music video hasn’t been misplaced on Carpenter.
She made gentle of it throughout a live performance at Madison Sq. Backyard in late September, simply days after Adams turned the primary New York Metropolis mayor indicted whereas in workplace.
“Damn, what now?” she stated cheekily to the Manhattan crowd. “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?”
