A parish priest in Brooklyn, New York, has been removed from his parish after a review found alleged “serious” financial violations, including a secret transfer of parish funds totaling nearly $2 million.
Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan said in a statement this week that he had relieved Bishop Jamie Gigantiello of “any pastoral supervision or governance role” at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish after a review external party will find “evidence of serious violations of diocesan policies and protocols.”
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Mons. Brennan had already sanctioned Bishop Gigantiello last yearafter the priest allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a lewd music video in the church. On that occasion, the prelate relieved the parish priest of the administrative supervision of the parish.
Gigantiello’s removal from the pastor’s position this week came after investigations revealed that he allegedly “mishandled substantial church funds and interfered with parish administration after being instructed not to do so,” Bishop Brennan said. in his statement.
Between 2019 and 2021, the priest allegedly transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts linked to attorney Frank Carone, a longtime figure in Brooklyn Democratic politics. Carone served as chief of staff to New York Mayor Eric Adams in 2022.
It is unclear what Carone or his affiliates may have used the money for. The diocese indicated in its statement that the loans were repaid, one of them at an interest of around 9%.
The diocese said there were “other instances” in which Bishop Gigantiello misappropriated parish funds, including using a church credit card for “substantial personal expenses.”
In addition to removing Gigantiello, Bishop Brennan said he had also placed Deacon Dean Dobbins, the parish’s temporary administrator, on administrative leave.
The diocese said that earlier this month it had received evidence from Gigantiello’s lawyers of “racist and other offensive comments” made by Dobbins “during private conversations in the parish office.”
The comments were secretly recorded “by order of (Gigantiello),” the diocese said.
“It was a mistake to secretly record Deacon Dobbins, but the use of such language by any church employee is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Bishop Brennan said in his statement.
The diocese said it is “fully committed to cooperating with law enforcement in all investigations.”
In addition to his removal from Brooklyn parish leadership, Gigantiello last year was also removed from his position as diocesan vicar for development, a position he had held for about 15 years.
Earlier this year, Carpenter had joked about his alleged role in helping launch federal investigations into New York City leaders, specifically Adams, who was charged with financial crimes in September.
At a concert at Madison Square Garden days after the mayor was indicted, the singer suggested that last year’s controversy over a music video filmed at a Brooklyn church could have led to Adams being targeted by federal agents.
“Should we talk about how I got the mayor impeached?” he asked his audience at the concert.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.