A priest has been fired after allowing Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a provocative music video at his church.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello faced controversy last November for letting Carpenter film scenes of her Feather music video at the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The backlash led to Gigantiello being investigated for financial misconduct, according to a statement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.
He has been stripped of “any pastoral oversight or governance role” at his church, Bishop Robert Brennan announced on Monday.
Gigantiello allegedly made unauthorized transfers of $1.9million (£1.5million) in church funds to accounts linked to Frank Carone, a former aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is facing corruption investigation.
Some funds were repaid with interest but the transfers reportedly violated diocesan policies and were not reported properly.
Gigantiello has defended his stewardship, telling local news outlet The City that the investments were legal and yielded a significant return for the church.
The church has been subpoenaed by federal authorities for more information and the diocese is cooperating with the investigation.
Gigantiello’s administrative powers were taken away after Carpenter’s video and he has now also been stripped of his pastoral duties.
The church was previously criticized for letting Carpenter film “suggestive” scenes of the 25-year-old dancing at the altar in a short black dress with a veil.
The video also showed the former Disney Channel star arriving at the church in a pink hearse and dancing alongside a colorful array of faux coffins.
The diocese at the time said it was “appalled” and that proper procedures for filming had not been followed.
Gigantiello admitted to a “lapse in judgment” in permitting the shoot, in a letter to parishioners last November.
He said he had wanted to “strengthen the bonds between the young creative artists who make up a large part of this community and the parish”.
“The parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script,” the diocese said.
Carpenter made light of the controversy surrounding her music video in late September, just days after Adams became the first New York City mayor indicted while in office.
“Damn, what now?” she said cheekily to the Manhattan crowd. “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?”
