NYC Priest Fired Amid Sabrina Carpenter Music Video Scandal and Financial Irregularities

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the leader of a Brooklyn church where pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed her provocative "Feather" music video, has been removed from his position. This follows an investigation uncovering serious financial mismanagement and other violations of diocesan policies.

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The Music Video Controversy

Carpenter's video, filmed at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish, depicted scenes considered inappropriate by church officials. The video showed Carpenter arriving in a pink hearse and dancing in front of the altar in a short black dress and veil. This sparked outrage and triggered the initial investigation.

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Financial Irregularities

The investigation revealed far-reaching problems beyond the music video. Gigantiello is accused of:

• Unauthorized Financial Transfers: Transferring $1.9 million in parish funds to accounts associated with Frank Carone, former chief of staff to NYC Mayor Eric Adams. $1 million was repaid, but without proper interest.
• Personal Credit Card Use: Using a church credit card for substantial personal expenses.
• Racist Remarks by a Deacon: A deacon, appointed as temporary administrator, used racist and offensive language—secretly recorded at Gigantiello's direction.

The diocese has cooperated with law enforcement investigations. While neither Gigantiello nor Carone has been formally charged, the situation highlights serious concerns regarding financial accountability within the church.

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Sabrina Carpenter's Reaction

Carpenter playfully alluded to the controversy during a Madison Square Garden concert, shortly after Mayor Adams' indictment, asking the crowd: "Damn, what now? Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?"

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Aftermath

Gigantiello has been stripped of all pastoral and administrative duties, with Bishop Robert Brennan appointing Bishop Witold Mroziewski as the new administrator. A spiritual rite was also conducted to restore the church's sanctity.

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