Brooklyn Diocese Demotes Monsignor After $1.9M Financial Scandal

BROOKLYN, NY — The Diocese of Brooklyn has demoted a Williamsburg priest after an internal investigation revealed he transferred $1.9 million of the church's money to the former chief of staff to Mayor Eric Adams, without the church's approval, officials from the Diocese of Brooklyn said.

The Diocese first started scrutinizing Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish when he allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a scantily clad music video for her song "Feather" inside the church back in November 2023.

Then, the Diocese initiated a broader review of compliance with Diocesan policies at the church and found that Gigantiello loaned $1.9 million in church funds to Adams' former chief of staff Frank Carone's law firm and two other companies affiliated with Carone between 2019 and 2021.

Gigantiello has not been charged with anything, but federal investigators looking into the five-count indictment of Adams — who is accused of accepting illegal campaign donations and bribes — subpoenaed him about his business dealings between Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Carone, who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Adams' reelection campaign, NBC New York reported.

"In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish," Bishop Robert J. Brennan said.

"I have also relieved Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the current pastor, of any pastoral oversight or governance role at the Parish because he has mishandled substantial church funds and interfered with the administration of the Parish after being directed not to do so. "

But, despite the change in administrative duties, Gigantiello is still the church's pastor.

Gigantiello has not responded yet to a request to comment from Patch, but told THE CITY that the loans were investments, and that they were paid back to the church with 9 percent interest.

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