A New York priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video in church was further stripped of his duties

NEW YORK (AP) — The leader of a New York City church where pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed provocative scenes for a music video was removed from his position Monday after church officials said an investigation had uncovered other cases of mismanagement.

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was removed from “any pastoral oversight or administrative role” at his church in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood, Bishop Robert Brennan said in a statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

An investigation launched after the video revealed Gigantiello making unauthorized financial transfers to a former top aide in the administration of New York Mayor Eric Adams is under investigation on corruption charges, Brennan said.

“I am saddened to share Alvarez’s research & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of diocese policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish,” the bishop said. “To secure public trust and protect Church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski. as administrator of the parish.”

Gigantiello’s administrative powers were stripped after Carpenter’s video for her hit “Feather” drew criticism last November.

The priest has also now been relieved of his pastoral duties, giving Mroziewski “full authority over the parish,” including over liturgical matters, although Gigantiello will still be able to celebrate Mass with Mroziewski’s approval, diocese spokesperson Adriana Rodriguez said.

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 “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, alongside a colorful array fake chests. .

The diocese said at the time that it was “shocked” and that proper procedures for filming had not been followed.

In addition to relieving Gigantiello of administrative duties, Brennan also relieved him of fundraising duties as pastor of diocese development and performed a spiritual rite to restore the church’s sanctity.

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.

Carone did not respond to an email seeking comment, but Gigantiello has defended his stewardship, telling The City, a local news outlet, that the investments were legal and provided a significant return for the church.

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?”

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