Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn Takes Personnel Actions in Response to Ongoing Investigations

Bishop Brennan stated:

“I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of severe violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish.

I have appointed Bishop Witold Mroziewski as the parish administrator to safeguard the public trust and church funds.

I have also relieved Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, the current pastor, of any pastoral oversight or governance role at the Parish because he has mishandled substantial church funds and interfered with the administration of the Parish after being directed not to do so.  I have also relieved the Parish’s temporary administrator, Deacon Dean Dobbins, because of his use of racist and other offensive language during private conversations held in the Parish office, which were recorded at Monsignor Gigantiello’s direction without the Deacon’s consent.  It was wrong to record Deacon Dobbins secretly, but any church employee's use of such language is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

On November 1, 2023, the Diocese learned that, in violation of Diocesan policy, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello permitted filming a pop music video at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish.  Subsequently, Bishop Brennan removed Monsignor Gigantiello as the Diocese’s Vicar for Development, relieved him from all administrative and financial oversight at the Parish, and appointed Deacon Dobbins as temporary administrator. 

Bishop Brennan also initiated a broader administrative review of compliance with Diocesan policies and procedures at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish.  That review, conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, has uncovered a pattern of severe violations of Diocesan policies and protocols by Monsignor Gigantiello.  In particular, from 2019 to 2021, Monsignor Gigantiello transferred $1.9 million in Parish funds to bank accounts affiliated with Frank Carone’s law firm and two companies with Mr. Carone. These transfers took the form of three apparent loans made by the Parish to those Carone-affiliated entities.

In January 2019, Monsignor Gigantiello transferred $1 million of Parish funds to Mr. Carone’s law firm, Abrams Fensterman LLP.  Monsignor did not inform Diocesan officials or seek approval for this transfer.  He did not correctly document this transfer or obtain the necessary details from Mr. Carone about using these funds.  This $1 million transfer violated Diocesan investment policies and protocols.  Between June 2020 and June 2021, Mr. Carone’s law firm repaid these funds, equivalent to approximately 9% interest.

In August 2021 and November 2021, Monsignor Gigantiello made two additional transfers, totaling $900,000, of Parish funds intended for two companies affiliated with Mr. Carone, Cesco, LLC, and Lex Ave 660 Partners LLC.  Monsignor again did not inform Diocesan officials or seek the required approval for either transfer.  The Monsignor made both transfers under notes, providing one-year repayment terms at agreed interest rates.  Again, Monsignor did not obtain the necessary details from Mr. Carone about the relevant companies or the use of these funds.  In February 2022, Monsignor Gigantiello—without consulting the Diocese—requested early repayment of the principal amounts for both loans without requiring the payment to the Parish of the substantial interest provided for under the notes.    

In addition, the Diocese’s review has identified other instances in which Monsignor Gigantiello used and transferred Parish funds in violation of Diocesan policies and protocols.  He also used a church credit card for substantial personal expenses.  Those transactions remain under investigation. 

Separately, on November 7, 2024, the Diocese received evidence from Monsignor Gigantiello’s lawyers of racist and other offensive comments by Deacon Dobbins during private conversations in the Parish office.  This evidence included recordings made at the direction of Monsignor Gigantiello without Deacon Dobbins’s knowledge or consent and, in some instances, without the knowledge or consent of the other party to the conversation.  Immediately after receiving this evidence, Bishop Brennan placed Deacon Dobbins on administrative leave. 

As previously stated, the Diocese is fully committed to cooperating with law enforcement in all investigations.