WILLIAMSBURG — Bishop Robert Brennan has relieved Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello from “any pastoral oversight or governance role” after investigations found he “mishandled” parish finances, the Diocese of Brooklyn announced on Nov. 18.
The investigation — conducted by the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and the financial consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal at the behest of the diocese — found that from 2019-2021 Msgr. Gigantiello, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Williamsburg, transferred a total of $1.9 million in parish funds to entities affiliated with an acquaintance, Frank Carone.
Bishop Brennan said Msgr. Gigantiello made the transfers without the knowledge or approval of the diocese, adding that he made the decision to relieve Msgr. Gigantiello of his duties “because he has mishandled substantial church funds and interfered with the administration of the parish after being directed not to do so.”
“I am saddened to share that investigations … uncovered evidence of serious violations of diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish,” said Bishop Brennan, who appointed Auxiliary Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the parish “to safeguard the public trust and to protect church funds.”
According to a diocesan decree issued in 2007, each parish’s finance council should “be consulted by the pastor concerning any major commitment of parish resources in excess of $30,000 before permission for said commitment is requested from the diocesan bishop.”
Msgr. Gigantiello told The Tablet that he did not seek approval from the diocese for the transfers because it was his understanding the approval process for expenditures above $30,000 applies to “repairs and renovations.”
The investigation found that Msgr. Gigantiello transferred $1 million of parish funds to bank accounts associated with Carone’s law firm, Abrams Fensterman LLP, in 2019 without approval, in violation of diocesan policy and without ascertaining what the funds would be used for.
Abrams Fensterman LLP paid back the $1 million between June 2020 and June 2021 at approximately 9% interest, investigators revealed.
In August 2021 and November 2021, Msgr. Gigantiello transferred a sum totaling $900,000 to two entities affiliated with Carone — Cesco, LLC and Lex Ave 660 Partners LLC — again without the knowledge or approval of the diocese and without ascertaining exactly how the borrowers planned to use the funds, according to the diocese.
The diocesan investigation found that in February 2022, Msgr. Gigantiello requested early repayment of the principal amounts of both 2021 loans, but without interest as he and Carone agreed to earlier.
Msgr. Gigantiello defended the money transfers, saying that they benefited his parish. “It was an investment that the parish made $120,000 on,” he said.
He added the situation had left him heartbroken.
“I feel terrible. I feel very bad and saddened for the church … that this is happening,” he said.
According to the diocese, other instances were discovered where Msgr. Gigantiello transferred parish funds in violation of diocesan policies and protocols, but they are still being investigated. The diocese added that Msgr. Gigantiello used a parish credit card for “substantial personal expenses,” which were also still being investigated.
Carone, a politically connected lawyer, is the former chief of staff to Mayor Eric Adams. On Sept. 26, Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, unsealed an indictment charging Adams with bribery, campaign finance violations, and conspiracy.
The diocesan investigations were put in motion after pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed a music video in the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in October 2023, which the diocese found inappropriate. The video for the song “Feather” featured a scantily-clad Carpenter dancing in the sanctuary where the altar is located.
At the time, Bishop Brennan relieved Msgr. Gigantiello of his duties as vicar for development for the diocese and his administrative and financial oversight duties at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. Deacon Dean Dobbins was appointed to serve as temporary administrator.
The circumstances around the video led the diocese to launch “a broader administrative review of compliance with diocesan policies and procedures,” which led to the discovery of the violations the diocese announced on Nov. 18.
The diocese also announced on Nov. 18 that Deacon Dobbins was relieved of administrative duties at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish after “offensive remarks” he made came to light.
This is a developing story.
