The fallout continues for Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the parish leader of Our Lady of Mount Carmel — Annunciation Parish, who has been removed from his duties amid allegations of mishandling nearly $2 million of church funds. The New York City pastor, known for allowing pop singer Sabrina Carpenter to film her controversial music video inside the church, now faces serious allegations of financial misconduct—that's not just eyebrow-raising but downright scandalous.
Recently, Bishop Robert J. Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn made the decision to relieve Gigantiello of all pastoral oversight and governance roles after the diocese launched an investigation due to financial irregularities linked to the church's operations. This investigation kicked off after Gigantiello’s approval of the music video shoot, which went against Diocesan policy, raising red flags about his leadership.
The pattern of troubling finances emerged quite starkly: the investigation uncovered how Gigantiello allegedly transferred funds from the parish to accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, who was previously the chief of staff to Mayor Eric Adams. According to reports, Gigantiello transferred $1.9 million to these accounts without the necessary approvals or proper documentation—violations of diocesan policies and protocols.
Details revealed during this investigation are nothing short of alarming. It was reported by officials from the Diocese of Brooklyn, who confirmed there were three large transfers. The first involved transferring $1 million to Carone's law firm, Abrams Fensterman LLP, back in January 2019. This transfer was made without informing the diocese or seeking necessary approvals, which is against the established protocols.
Following this, there were two additional transfers of $900,000 made to two companies linked to Carone during the latter months of 2021. Again, Gigantiello executed these transactions without informing diocesan officials—essentially acting as if he were above the established rules.
Compounding the issue were allegations directed at Gigantiello of using church credit cards for his personal expenses, which also remain under investigation. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, asserted these credit card charges were authorized as part of Gigantiello’s compensation agreement, insisting no misuse occurred. He argued the financial dealings were conducted with the intent of benefitting the parish, claiming the church received decent returns on the funds loaned.
But it doesn’t end there; the ramifications of the investigation have led to additional complications. After Gigantiello's removal from his pastoral duties, Deacon Dean Dobbins, who was temporarily appointed to oversee the parish, was also relieved of his role. Dobbins faced criticism after he was recorded using offensive and racist language, allegedly during conversations directed at his leadership by Gigantiello—a recording made without Dobbins' consent. The diocese condemned both the actions of Gigantiello for allowing the recording and Dobbins for his unprofessional conduct.
The roots of this scandal stretch back to November 2022, when Gigantiello granted permission for Carpenter to film scenes for her music video, “Feather,” within the walls of the historic church. This decision generated significant media attention, especially considering the provocative nature of the video, which depicted characters meeting grim fates and featured themes not typically associated with religious settings. The footage showcased Carpenter entering the church in a pink hearse—an image certain to raise some eyebrows.
Upon the video’s release, diocese officials expressed their dismay, stating they were “appalled” by the lack of adherence to protocol. Bishop Brennan noted, “It was wrong to allow such filming without following the proper procedures.” This event triggered the initial investigation, setting the dominoes of scandal tumbling.
After Gigantiello's separation from duties, the diocese appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski to manage the parish, with full administrative authority due to the lack of trust established by Gigantiello’s actions. This shift indicates the seriousness with which the diocese is addressing these issues, showcasing their determination to safeguard the church's integrity.
While neither Gigantiello nor Carone have been charged with any criminal activity by federal prosecutors, the investigation continues to loom large over both their reputations. Carone, who became known as the influential aide to Mayor Adams and is now operating his own lobbying firm, has not publicly commented on these allegations.
The church environment has grown increasingly complex for Gigantiello, who has served as pastor since 2017 and mingled with many city officials over the years. Allegations of financial misconduct at such level could potentially tarnish both his and the diocese's reputation significantly.
Tensions escalated as Gigantiello contends his financial dealings were reasonable investments aimed at earning returns for the church. Aidala claimed these loans yielded good interest payments and benefitted the parish financially, pushing back against the damaging narrative posed by the diocese’s investigation.
While the chaos set off by Carpenter's music video reignited scrutiny of the church, some speculate whether these events could intertwine with broader investigations surrounding Mayor Adams’ administration. With potential ramifications for both the church and city leadership, many are keeping close tabs on how these allegations might develop.
Certainly, this saga is still unraveling, and with federal inquiries still active, the tension surrounding the Brooklyn Diocese and its leadership remains thicker than ever. Questions linger, and the community is left watching closely as the diocese aims to restore its credibility and regain the public trust after such alarming breaches. The situation serves as a notable reminder of how closely financial accountability and church governance are interlinked.
Will this scandal mark the beginning of sweeping reforms within the diocese, or are these merely the first echoes of something far larger yet to be revealed? Only time will tell as investigators probe more deeply, and the parish navigates through this turbulent storm.
