It seems the saga of Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello is the gift that keeps on giving, and not in a good way. From a pop star’s risqué music video to shady financial dealings involving a former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, this Brooklyn priest has managed to mix scandal, corruption, and Hollywood drama into a spectacle worthy of a Netflix miniseries.
The fallout began with Sabrina Carpenter’s music video for her hit song “Feather,” which, if you missed it, featured faux coffins, provocative dancing, and Carpenter strutting around in a short black dress at none other than Gigantiello’s church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The video was “appalling,” according to the diocese, which insisted proper filming procedures weren’t followed. Now, months later, it turns out that Carpenter’s antics were just the tip of the iceberg.
After initially brushing off the incident as a “lapse in judgment,” Gigantiello is now in even hotter water for financial improprieties uncovered by investigators. The most eyebrow-raising? Transferring a cool $1.9 million in parish funds to accounts linked to Frank Carone, former chief of staff to Mayor Adams. No prior approval, no proper documentation, and a whole lot of unanswered questions.
NEW YORK
Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello has been removed from parish duties due to alleged misuse of funds, millions of which went to the former Chief of Staff of Mayor Eric Adams
He also courted controversy for allowing singer Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video in a church pic.twitter.com/5USzYLDQuR
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) November 20, 2024
Sure, the church got $1 million and some interest back, but federal investigators have subpoenaed the church, and the story isn’t over yet. Gigantiello’s use of a church credit card for “substantial” personal expenses didn’t help his case either. If this is stewardship, then maybe the collection plates need a security detail.
And speaking of bizarre twists, Gigantiello apparently recorded his deacon making racist and offensive remarks in private conversations—a deacon who had been appointed to temporarily clean up Gigantiello’s mess. You can’t make this stuff up.
Let’s not forget that the diocese had to perform a spiritual rite to restore the sanctity of the church after Carpenter’s music video shoot. But sanctity seems like a tough sell when millions in church funds are casually being shuffled around in sketchy deals.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, who has been relieved of further duties after his administrative powers were removed last year, says he did not realise how provocative the song Feather would be ⬇️ https://t.co/G2VJAoKypP
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) November 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter has taken the chaos in stride, joking during a concert that she somehow managed to “get the mayor indicted.” The timing, of course, is delicious, as Eric Adams is indeed facing his own legal troubles. Coincidence? Probably. Hilarious? Definitely.
The diocese insists it’s fully cooperating with law enforcement, and Bishop Brennan has stripped Gigantiello of his administrative and fundraising duties. But it’s hard not to wonder how long this circus was allowed to operate unchecked. One thing’s for sure: the next church bake sale better have a financial audit.
