Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello had his pastoral duties reduced nearly to none Monday when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn discovered money transfers to New York City Mayor‘s office.
As Mayor Eric Adams is facing his own barrage of corruption and bribery charges from a federal court, Bishop Robert Brennan issued a statement to announce that Gigantiello would no longer hold “any pastoral oversight or governance role.” The Diocese discovered that Gigantiello made unauthorized money transfers to a former aide to Adams, who has since been charged with corruption.
“I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel — Annunciation Parish,” the statement read. “In order to safeguard the public trust and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish.”
This investigation was sparked by Gigantiello’s controversial decision to allow pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film her music video in his church. In the video, Carpenter wears a racy outfit to a faux funeral. As a result, Gigantiello lost his administrative authority.
Gigantiello can still say Mass with the approval from Mroziewski.
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Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, New York City Public Schools Chancellor David Banks, and Deputy Mayor Philip Banks III have all resigned since the indictment came against Adams. The mayor pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, federal program bribery, and to receive campaign contributions by foreign nationals — one count of wire fraud, two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national, and one count of bribery.
Adams is scheduled to appear in court on April 23 unless his lawyers successfully expedite the trial to April 1. The mayor is seeking a speedier trial as he still expects to run for reelection next year.