NEW YORK (AP) — The chief of a New York church the place a pop star lives Sabrina Carpentiere filmed provocative scenes for a music video was stripped of his duties Monday after church officers mentioned an investigation revealed different situations of mismanagement.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello has been relieved of “any pastoral oversight or governance position” at his church situated within the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan mentioned in a press release launched by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
An investigation launched after the video revealed that Gigantiello made unauthorized monetary transfers to a former advisor to the mayor of New York City The administration of Eric Adams, who’s beneath investigation on corruption expenses, Brennan mentioned.
“I’m saddened to share that investigations carried out by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP uncovered proof of great violations of diocesan insurance policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish – Annunciation,” the bishop mentioned. “In order to safeguard the general public belief and defend church funds, I’ve appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as parish administrator.”
Gigantiello’s administrative powers had been eliminated after Carpenter’s video for her hit song “Feather” drew criticism final November.
The priest has now additionally been relieved of his pastoral duties, giving Mroziewski “full authority over the parish,” together with in liturgical issues, though Gigantiello will nonetheless have the ability to have fun Mass with Mroziewski’s approval, diocese spokeswoman Adriana Rodriguez mentioned .
Brennan, who oversees Catholic church buildings within the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, mentioned he additionally relieved a deacon who had been named non permanent administrator throughout the investigation. He mentioned the deacon had used racist and offensive language throughout personal conversations within the parish workplace that had been secretly recorded at Gigantiello’s route.
Gigantiello didn’t reply to emails and Facebook messages searching for remark Monday.
Released on October 31, 2023, the “Feather” music video revolves round males who misbehave in direction of Carpenter earlier than assembly horrific deaths.
At sure factors within the video, the previous Disney Channel star is seen pulling as much as the landmark brick church in a pink hearse after which dancing in entrance of the church’s ornate altar sporting a brief black gown and black veil alongside a colourful set of faux coffins. .
The diocese on the time mentioned it was “dismayed” and that correct procedures for filming had not been adopted.
In addition to relieving Gigantiello of administrative duties, Brennan additionally relieved him of fundraising duties as vicar for growth of the diocese and carried out a religious ceremony to revive the church’s sanctity.
In the letter to parishioners Last November, Gigantiello mentioned approving the capturing was an “error in judgment” and claimed he wasn’t current on the time and did not understand how provocative the capturing could be.
Brennan mentioned Monday {that a} broader overview uncovered different situations of administrative wrongdoing.
Among them is an ongoing investigation into Gigantiello’s use of a church bank card for “substantial” private bills, he mentioned.
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 employees, Brennan mentioned.
The bishop mentioned Gigantiello didn’t search prior approval for the transactions and didn’t adequately doc them, in violation of the diocese’s funding insurance policies and protocols.
According to Brennan, Carone’s legislation agency repaid $1 million of the funds, together with about 9% curiosity. Gigantiello additionally requested for early compensation of the rest, however with out the substantial curiosity required by the mortgage notes, Bishop mentioned.
Federal investigators did sued the Brooklyn church searching for info on the monetary dealings of Carone and Gigantiello, though neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Brennan confused that the diocese is “absolutely dedicated” to cooperating with legislation enforcement in its investigation.
Carone didn’t reply to an e mail searching for remark, however Gigantiello defended his administration, telling the story of the citya neighborhood information outlet, that the investments had been authorized and produced a major return for the church.
Meanwhile, the excitement his music video sparked wasn’t misplaced on Carpenter.
He made gentle of it throughout a live performance at Madison Square Garden in late September, simply days after Adams turned New York City’s first mayor. indicted while in office.
“Damn, now what?” he mentioned brazenly to the Manhattan crowd. “Do we need to discuss how I bought the mayor indicted?”
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This story has been up to date to appropriate the identify of Carpenter’s track to “Feather,” not “Feathers.”
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Follow Filippo Marcelo on twitter.com/philmarcello.
