Last year, a Brooklyn priest made headlines when he allowed Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video inside his church. This seemingly innocent event set off a chain of events that uncovered serious violations and led to further investigations. Let's delve into the details.

Unraveling the Controversy Surrounding a Brooklyn Church

What Triggered the Investigation?

On Halloween in 2023, Sabrina Carpenter released her "Feather" music video, partially filmed in a Brooklyn church. The video showed a series of incidents where she either killed or witnessed the deaths of men who had behaved badly. While it has over 100 million views on YouTube, it also caused quite a stir. The Brooklyn bishop, Brennan, was appalled by what was filmed. The parish had not followed diocesan policy regarding filming on church property. Gigantiello, the church's pastor for nearly a decade, published a letter apologizing for his role. He said the parish was approached by a local film crew and he agreed to the filming without realizing the provocative content. Carpenter's team claimed they had obtained approval in advance. As a result, Brennan removed Gigantiello from his fundraising position and initiated a broader administrative review.

It's clear that this incident had significant consequences for the church and its leadership. The unauthorized filming raised questions about the church's policies and the pastor's judgment.

What Did Investigators Find?

A management consulting firm and a law firm conducted a review and uncovered a pattern of wrongdoing by Gigantiello. Between 2019 and 2021, he transferred a total of $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts and companies affiliated with Frank Carone, a close advisor to Mayor Eric Adams. These transfers were made without the knowledge or approval of diocesan officials and were not properly documented. Gigantiello first transferred $1 million in 2019 and the firm repaid it with interest. He then made two more transfers in 2021. He also requested early repayment without requiring the payment of interest. Additionally, the review found other instances where Gigantiello used and transferred parish funds in violation of diocesan policies and used a church credit card for personal expenses. There is also evidence of racist and offensive comments made by the deacon serving as temporary administrator.

The findings of this investigation raise serious concerns about the financial management and ethical conduct within the church. It shows a lack of oversight and accountability.

The Connection to the Adams Indictment

Adams was indicted on federal charges in late September. Several media outlets reported that Gigantiello's church received a subpoena from federal investigators regarding business dealings between Gigantiello and Carone. The two accompanied Adams on his visit to Rome. The diocese is committed to cooperating with law enforcement, but it's not clear how the "Feather" music video debacle may have influenced the investigation. Carpenter even joked about her alleged role in Adams' indictment.

This connection adds another layer of complexity to the already controversial situation. It raises questions about the potential influence of personal and business relationships on public officials.

In conclusion, the actions of a Brooklyn priest and the subsequent investigations have shed light on serious issues within the church and its leadership. It remains to be seen how these events will unfold and what lessons will be learned.