Connect with us

CBS News

NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a music video in church stripped of duties

Avatar

Published

on


Brooklyn pastor in Sabrina Carpenter music video controversy stripped of his duties


Brooklyn pastor in Sabrina Carpenter music video controversy stripped of his duties

00:33

NEW YORK – There’s more fallout for a Brooklyn pastor who allowed pop star Sabrina Carpenter to film a music video inside his church. 

Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello has been stripped of his duties at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg. 

Church officials said they were appalled he permitted Carpenter to film the provocative video last year for her hit song “Feather.” 

The Diocese says an investigation revealed instances of mismanagement, including unauthorized financial transfers to a former aide in the Adams administration, which is now the subject of a corruption probe. 

“Evidence of serious violations” 

“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,” Bishop Robert Brennan said. “In order to safeguard the public trust, and to protect church funds, I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as administrator of the Parish.”

Brennan, who oversees Catholic churches in the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, said he also relieved a deacon who had been appointed as a temporary administrator during the investigation. He said the deacon had used racist and other offensive language during private conversations in the parish office that had been secretly recorded at Gigantiello’s direction.

Gigantiello didn’t respond to email and Facebook messages seeking comment Monday.

The controversial video

Released on Oct. 31, 2023, the “Feather” music video revolves around men behaving badly toward Carpenter before meeting grisly deaths.

At points in the video, the former Disney Channel star is seen pulling up to the distinctive brick church in a pink hearse and then dancing in front of the church’s ornate altar wearing a short black dress and a black veil alongside a colorful array of faux coffins.

In a letter to parishioners last November, Gigantiello said approving the filming was a “lapse in judgment” and maintained he wasn’t present at the time and didn’t realize how provocative the shoot would be.

On Monday, Brennan said a broader review uncovered other instances of administrative impropriety.

Among them is an ongoing investigation into Gigantiello’s use of a church credit card for “substantial” personal expenses, he said.

From 2019 to 2021, the monsignor also transferred $1.9 million in parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone, Adams’ former chief of staff, Brennan said.

The bishop said 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.

Carone’s law firm repaid $1 million of the funds, along with about 9% interest, according to Brennan. Gigantiello also requested early repayment for the remainder, but without the substantial interest called for under the loan notes, the bishop said.

Federal investigators have subpoenaed the Brooklyn church seeking information about Carone and Gigantiello’s financial dealings, though neither has been accused of any wrongdoing.

Brennan stressed the diocese is “fully committed” to cooperating with law enforcement in its investigations.

Meanwhile, the commotion set off by her music video hasn’t been lost on Carpenter.

She made light of it during a concert at Madison Square Garden 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?”



Read the original article

Leave your vote

CBS News

Ukraine uses U.S. long-range missiles in attack on Russian territory, officials confirm

Avatar

Published

on


Ukraine uses U.S. long-range missiles in attack on Russian territory, officials confirm – CBS News


Watch CBS News



U.S. officials have confirmed to CBS News that U.S.-supplied long-range missiles were used by Ukraine on targets in Russian territory. Russia is reportedly vowing retaliation for the attack. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D’Agata has the latest.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

3 reasons to invest in gold this holiday season

Avatar

Published

on


Piggy Bank Climbing Stack Of Coins
Putting money into gold could make a lot of sense this holiday season, experts say.

Getty Images


It’s been quite the year for gold. The price of the precious metal started 2024 at just over $2,000 an ounce, but gold prices quickly climbed higher — breaking records as the price surpassed $2,400, $2,500, $2,600, and then, in mid-October, $2,700 per ounce.

The price has moderated a bit in the time since, falling back below $2,700 per ounce, but remains high overall. And there are plenty of reasons behind the recent run-up, with geopolitical tensions and high inflation driving consumers to safe-haven assets chief among them. Quickly rising prices have also enticed investors looking for solid returns.

Are you one of the many who have invested in gold this year? If not, there’s still time — and good reason — to do so. 

Learn how to get started with gold investing today.

3 reasons to invest in gold this holiday season

Here’s why experts say you may want to buy some this holiday season.

It protects against future inflation and recessions

According to Eric Elkins, CEO of financial consulting firm Double E, you should consider investing in gold in a recession — or even if one is just expected. 

“If you believe today or in the future, we are nearing a recession or depression then consider gold as a possible option to plant your money,” Elkins recently told CBS News. “Gold historically has done very well when the U.S. had economic turmoil.”

J.P. Morgan currently estimates there’s a 45% chance of a recession by the end of 2025. And the worse that recession is, “the better gold will do,” says Michael Chadwick, president of Fiscal Wisdom Wealth Management. 

“Buying gold pre-recession is very smart,” Chadwick says.

Find out more about the benefits of gold investing here.

It can diversify your portfolio

You may have heard the old adage about putting all your eggs in one basket. Well, the same is true in the investment space. Putting the majority of your money into one asset class is dangerous. If you do that, all it takes is one market downturn for your portfolio to drop a significant amount.

A better approach is to diversify your portfolio with a variety of assets so that when one falls, you have other, still-performing investments to balance it out. Gold is “the asset” when it comes to true portfolio diversification, according to James Cordier, head trader at Alternative Options. 

“It adds exposure and diversification to an asset that is not directly correlated to the stock market,” says Christopher Mediate, president of Mediate Financial. “It can be a great hedge against volatility.”

Waiting may cost you more

If investing in some for its safe-haven or diversification benefits is on your agenda, buying sooner rather than later might be wise.

While the future trajectory of gold prices is hard to pin down, some experts predict gold prices could surpass $3,000 per ounce in the coming months. So the investors who wait to buy in? They risk being “priced out,” says Keith Weiner, CEO and founder of Monetary Metals.

“If you choose to wait for a price drop, you might wait a long time and not get it,” Weiner says.

The bottom line

If you’re ready to invest in gold this holiday season, there are lots of ways to do it. You can buy gold bars and coins if you want to own physical gold, purchase gold stocks and ETFs, or open a gold IRA, which offers a tax-advantaged way to invest in gold and save for retirement.

Talk to an investment professional or financial planner if you’re not sure of the best way to invest in gold for your goals and budget.



Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

How to build trust with your doctor

Avatar

Published

on


How to build trust with your doctor – CBS News


Watch CBS News



A study shows trust in physicians and hospitals has dropped to 40% since the start of the pandemic. Dr. Jon LaPook shares how tone and communication can improve doctor-patient relationships.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.