The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn on Monday fired the Rev. Jamie Gigantiero, pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, for allegedly mishandling nearly $2 million in church funds.
According to a statement from the Diocese of Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan, obtained by the Daily Caller, the pastor allegedly provided funds to the group in the name of Frank Carone in “three sham loans.” Carone is an advisor to Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Daily News reported. reported. The bishop added that the bishop also allegedly used a church credit card for personal purposes. Investigation is ongoing.
Brennan’s statement said the diocese learned on Nov. 1, 2023, that Gigantiello had allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video at the church. The diocese argued that this action was contrary to church policy.
Brooklyn pastor stripped of his duties for lending $1.9 million in church funds to Frank Carone, a key advisor to Mr. Adams
The investigation began after pastor Jamie Gigantiero allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video at his church.https://t.co/u8gKirO5r0
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 18, 2024
“I have also removed the current pastor, Bishop Jamie Gigantiero, from his pastoral oversight and governance roles in the diocese after he mishandled significant church funds and was directed not to interfere with the operations of the diocese.” said Brennan. That statement. (Related: Eric Adams’ former aide is in talks with prosecutors over possible plea deal in witness tampering case)
Federal authorities issued a subpoena to the church in September over the pastor’s alleged dealings with Carone, according to the New York Daily News. No one has been charged in connection with the federal investigation at this time. The church’s investigation found that Gigantiello’s transactions with Carone’s law firm and other related companies took place between 2019 and 2022, the statement said.
Mr. Gigantiello did not seek or obtain approval for the alleged financial activities. He also did not disclose how the funds would be used, according to the statement.
The pastor allegedly received about 9% interest from the law firm on the first $1 million loan. He then demanded early repayment without pre-specified interest on $900,000 in loans given to two other companies affiliated with Carone, the diocese said.
In a statement, the diocese emphasized that it is cooperating with law enforcement.
Mr. Carone is currently the head of a lobbying firm and served as Mr. Adams’ first chief of staff, the New York Daily News reported. He is expected to chair the mayor’s re-election campaign in 2025. Mr. Carone and Mr. Gigantiello are business partners in DMC Capital Group, where the pastor controls 7.5%, according to transaction records obtained by the program. .
