The pastor of a Brooklyn Catholic church, under federal investigation for suspicious transfers of church funds to a former City Hall insider, has been removed from his leadership duties following the discovery of racist recordings that further fueled the scandal.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, whose $1.9 million transfers of church funds to companies linked to a former aide to Mayor Eric Adams drew federal attention last year, is also accused of secretly recording a deacon at his Williamsburg church making “racist and offensive” comments, the Brooklyn diocese revealed Monday.
This is just the latest controversy at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish, which had already sparked criticism last year when pop singer Sabrina Carpenter was permitted to film a provocative music video inside the 160-year-old church.
The diocese has launched an investigation into the monsignor, with an outside firm finding “mismanagement” of funds and “interference” in parish operations after he was relieved of his duties, the announcement states.
Bishop Robert Brennan stated, “I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish.”
He consequently added that, “In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the parish.”
Last year, federal prosecutors issued subpoenas for records from the church as part of an investigation into business dealings between Gigantiello and Frank Carone’s law firm, where Carone, the former chief of staff for the mayor, had a prominent role.
Gigantiello transferred $1 million of parish funds to Carone’s law firm, Abrams Fensterman LLP, in January 2019. Carone left his position at City Hall in 2022.
In addition, another $900,000 was transferred to the firm in August and November of 2021, with these transactions occurring without the diocese’s knowledge or approval, the diocese stated.
In November 2023, the diocese removed Gigantiello from his role as pastor and appointed Deacon Dean Dobbins as his replacement after learning about Carpenter’s provocative video filmed inside the church.
According to the statement, however, Dobbins was also removed from his position earlier this month after the diocese was made aware of recordings in which the deacon used inappropriate language.
“This evidence included recordings apparently made at the direction Monsignor Gigantiello without Deacon Dobbins’ knowledge or consent and, in some instances, without the knowledge or consent of the other party to the conversation,” the diocese remarked.
Neither Gigantiello nor Carone have been charged with any criminal conduct by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, and a spokesperson for the office declined to comment on Monday.
Gigantiello’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, defended his client, who continues to serve as a practicing priest.
