An investigation, launched shortly after the controversy linked to the authorization given to Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video in a church, revealed that the priest concerned had made unauthorized financial transfers to the former chief of staff of the mayor of New York .
A New York priest once again in the spotlight. Mgr Jamie Gigantiello, leader of a church in Brooklyn, was dismissed from his position for “serious violations of diocesan policies and protocols”, reports the American news agency Associated Press this Tuesday, November 19.
This priest first made headlines in 2023 because he authorized the filming of a music video by singer Sabrina Carpenter within his church. A clip which had been deemed “provocative” by the Church and the diocese had expressed “dismay”.
In this clip, the former Disney Channel figure is seen dancing in front of the altar dressed in a black tutu, surrounded by fake coffins.
Mgr Jamie Gigantiello, who had expressed his regrets in a press release and declared that, not being present, he was not aware of the content of this clip, had then his administrative powers withdrawn.
Financial transfers to the former chief of staff of the mayor of New York
This time, an investigation – begun after the turmoil over the Sabrina Carpenter music video by two firms – revealed that the priest had made unauthorized financial transfers to a former senior official in the administration of New York Mayor Eric Adams , which is itself under investigation for corruption.
From 2019 to 2021, Bishop Jamie Gigantiello transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, the New York mayor’s former chief of staff, Robert Brennan alleged.
The bishop said the priest did not seek prior approval of the transactions and did not properly document them, “in violation of the diocese’s investment policies and protocols.”
“In order to preserve the public trust and protect the funds of the Church,” Bishop Witold Mroziewski has been appointed parish administrator in his place, Bishop Robert Brennan announced in a statement released by the Catholic diocese Roman from Brooklyn.
Jamie Gigantiello was also removed from his pastoral duties, giving Witold Mroziewski “complete authority over the parish.” However, it will still be possible for him to say mass with the authorization of his replacement, said the spokesperson for the diocese, Adriana Rodriguez.
Bishop Jamie Gigantiello defends “legal investments”
The investigation into him revealed other instances of “administrative irregularities,” such as the use of a church-owned credit card for “substantial” personal expenses.
Federal investigators subpoenaed the Brooklyn church for information about Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello’s financial dealings with Frank Carone, without him being accused of any wrongdoing.
Bishop Robert Brennan said the diocese was “fully committed” to cooperating with law enforcement in its investigations.
For his part, Jamie Gigantiello declared to local media, The City, that his “investments were legal” and that they “returned” to his church.
As for Sabrina Carpenter, she only made reference to this affair during a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York at the end of September, just a few days after the indictment of the city’s mayor. “Damn, what now? Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?” she quipped to her audience.
