The leader of a church in New York where pop star Sabrina Carpenter filmed a provocative music video has been relieved of his duties.
An investigation into Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Brooklyn was launched after he gave permission for US singer Carpenter to film the video to her hit song, Feather, last year.
Mr Gigantiello has now been stripped of any oversight or governance role, after an investigation carried out into the video, which at the time “appalled” the diocese – a group of churches in an area led by a bishop.
In the video for Feather, released in the US on 31 October, Carpenter pull-ups in front of the church, in the Williamsburg neighbourhood, in a pink hearse.
She is then seen dancing in front of the altar in front of fake coffins while wearing a short black dress and veil.
Meanwhile, a broader review into the monsignor – an honorary title given to a priest by the Pope to recognise their service to the Catholic Church – has uncovered other instances of mismanagement and administrative impropriety.
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn Robert Brennan said in a statement on Monday that Mr Gigantiello allegedly used the church’s credit card for “substantial” personal expenses.
He added that from 2019-2021 the monsignor allegedly transferred $1.9m (£1.5m) in parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, the former chief of staff of New York City mayor Eric Adams, who is being investigated on charges of corruption.
Adams was arrested in September, while still serving as mayor. He faces charges of conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery, including letting Turkish officials and businesses buy his influence with illegal campaign contributions and lavish overseas trips.
Federal investigators have subpoenaed the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church seeking information about Mr Carone and Mr Gigantiello’s financial dealings, though neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.
Most Rev Brennan claims Mr Gigantiello failed to seek prior approval for the transactions and didn’t properly document them, in violation of the diocese’s investment policies and protocols.
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The monsignor has also been cut from his pastoral duties, but will still be able to say mass with permission of the parish’s new administrator, Bishop Witold Mroziewski.
Seeming to make light of the situation in September, Carpenter told a crowd at one of her shows in Manhattan: “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?”