NEW YORK – There are more consequences a Brooklyn preacher who allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video within his church.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello has been removed from his position at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg.
Church officials said they were shocked that he let Carpenter film the provocative video for her hit “Feather” last year.
The diocese says an investigation uncovered instances of mismanagement, including unauthorized financial transfers to a former aide in the Adams administration who is now the subject of a corruption investigation.
‘Evidence of serious violations’
“I am saddened to report that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have revealed evidence of serious violations of diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish,” Bishop said Robert Brennan. “To safeguard the public’s trust and protect the church’s funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the parish.”
Brennan, who oversees Catholic churches in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, said he also relieved a deacon who was appointed temporary administrator during the investigation. He said the deacon had used racist and other offensive language during private conversations at the parish office that were secretly recorded at Gigantiello’s direction.
Gigantiello did not respond to email and Facebook messages seeking comment on Monday.
The controversial video
The “Feather” music video, released on October 31, 2023, revolves around men behaving badly towards Carpenter before meeting a gruesome death.
At certain points in the video, the former Disney Channel star is seen driving a pink hearse to the landmark brick church and then dancing in front of the church’s ornate altar, wearing a short black dress and a black veil, next to a colorful series of fake chests. .
In a letter to parishioners last November, Gigantiello said approving the recordings was an “error in judgment” and insisted he was not present at the time and did not realize how provocative the recordings would be.
On Monday, Brennan said a broader investigation revealed other cases of administrative impropriety.
Among them is an ongoing investigation into Gigantiello’s use of a church credit card for “substantial” personal expenses, he said.
From 2019 to 2021, the monsignor also transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, Adams’ former chief of staff, Brennan said.
The bishop said Gigantiello failed to seek prior approval for the transactions and failed to properly document them, in violation of the diocese’s investment policies and protocols.
Carone’s law firm returned $1 million of the money, along with about 9% interest, according to Brennan. Gigantiello also asked for early repayment of the remainder, but without the substantial interest demanded under the loan notes, the bishop said.
Federal investigators have subpoenaed the Brooklyn church seeking information about Carone and Gigantiello’s financial dealings, though neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Brennan emphasized that the diocese is “fully committed” to cooperating with law enforcement authorities in its investigations.
Meanwhile, the commotion her music video caused is not lost on Carpenter.
She made light of it during a concert at Madison Square Garden in late September, just days after Adams became the first New York City mayor to be indicted while in office.
“Damn, what now?” she said boldly to the crowd in Manhattan. “Should we talk about how I sued the mayor?”
