NEW YORK (AP) — Leaders of the New York City church where pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed provocative scenes in a music video were dismissed Monday after church officials said an investigation uncovered other instances of mismanagement. He was stripped of his position following the announcement.
Bishop Robert Brennan said in a statement released by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn that Bishop Jamie Gigantiero has been relieved of his “pastoral oversight and governance role” at his church in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. said.
Mr. Brennan said an investigation that began after the video revealed that Mr. Gigantiello had made fraudulent financial transfers to a former top aide in the administration of New York Mayor Eric Adams, who is being investigated for corruption. That's what it means.
“We regret that the investigation conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP uncovered evidence of serious violations of diocesan policies and protocols at the Parish of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel,” the bishop said. said. “In order to protect the public trust and protect the Church's funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mrozzewski as diocese administrator.”
Last November, Gigantiello was stripped of his executive powers after the video for Carpenter's hit song “Feather” sparked criticism.
The priest has now been reduced from his pastoral duties, giving Mlodziewski “full authority over the parish,” including liturgical matters, but Gigantiello said he can continue to celebrate Mass with Mlodziejowski's approval. Diocesan spokeswoman Adriana Rodriguez said.
Brennan, who oversees Catholic churches in New York City's Brooklyn and Queens boroughs, said he also removed a deacon who had been appointed interim administrator during the investigation. He said the deacon used racist and other offensive language during private conversations in the diocese's office, which were secretly recorded at Gigantiello's direction. .
Gigantiello did not respond to email or Facebook messages seeking comment Monday.
The “Feather” music video, released on October 31, 2023, revolves around the men who behave badly towards Carpenter before his tragic death.
At several points in the video, the former Disney Channel star pulls up to a distinctive brick church in a pink hearse and appears in a short black dress and black veil in front of the church's ornate altar. They are seen dancing next to a colorful fake coffin. .
The diocese at the time said it was “appalled” and said proper procedures for filming had not been followed.
Brennan relieved Mr. Gigantiello of his administrative duties, removed him from his fundraising duties as parish development minister, and performed spiritual ceremonies to restore the church's sanctity.
In a letter to parishioners last November, Gigantiello said it was a “misjudgment” in approving the shooting, saying he was not present and considering how provocative it was. He claimed that he did not understand.
Brennan said Monday that the extensive investigation also uncovered other cases of administrative fraud.
That includes an ongoing investigation into Mr. Gigantiello's use of a church credit card for “significant” personal expenses, he said.
From 2019 to 2021, Monsignor transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to a bank account affiliated with Adams' former chief of staff, Frank Carone, Brennan said.
The bishop said Gigantiello did not seek prior approval or properly document the transaction, violating the diocese's investment policy and bylaws.
Brennan said Carone's law firm repaid $1 million of the funds, plus about 9% interest. The bishop said Gigantiello also asked for early repayment of the balance, but the large amount of interest required under the loan was never paid.
Federal investigators have subpoenaed a Brooklyn church seeking information about financial transactions between Mr. Carone and Mr. Gigantiello, but neither has been accused of wrongdoing.
Brennan stressed that the diocese will “fully cooperate” with law enforcement in their investigation.
Carone did not respond to an email requesting comment, but Gigantiello defended his stewardship, telling local news outlet The City that the investment was legal and had brought significant benefits to the church. .
Meanwhile, the uproar caused by her music video hasn't been forgotten by Carpenter.
She downplayed it during a concert at Madison Square Garden in late September, days after Adams became the first New York mayor to be indicted while in office.
“Damn, what do we do now?” she said cheekily to the Manhattan crowd. “Shall we talk about how I prosecuted the mayor?”
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This story has been updated to correct the name of Carpenter's song to read “Feather” instead of “Feathers.”
