Holy cow!
A not too long ago demoted Brooklyn priest whose church funds are underneath federal investigation has a formidable actual property portfolio price greater than $2 million, together with a home within the Hamptons and a dear waterfront apartment in Florida, a assessment of information by The Submit reveal.
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, who had his pastoral duties yanked at Our Girl of Mount Carmel — Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary final week even peddled a $2,000-a-week timeshare on the resort island of St. Martin on Fb in October, the assessment discovered.
Whereas there is no such thing as a indication that the true property holdings are improper or skirt the legislation, the feds’ assessment of Our Girl of Carmel’s funds and Gigantiello’s private wealth has come underneath scrutiny after his demotion by the Brooklyn Diocese amid questionable loans to a related metropolis lawyer.
“Monsignor Jamie is certainly an operator, however he’s man,” one legislation enforcement supply stated. “He raises some huge cash for the church and he undoubtedly is aware of find out how to increase cash. [Yet,] I can’t see him getting concerned in something unlawful.
“Appears like a wheeler supplier. Very on the market,” the supply stated. “However there’s all the time an angle. Clearly he has connections to the NYPD however he’s all the time attempting to do the precise factor.”
His Lengthy Island unfold in Southampton, which Gigantiello purchased in 2021 for $605,000 and co-owns with fellow Brooklyn pastor, is now valued at greater than $700,000, in accordance with the information.
Sources stated the home has hosted events for metropolis insiders prior to now, together with NYPD brass.
Gigantiello’s apartment in Pompano Seaside, which he bought in 2009 for $417,000, now has a market worth of greater than $1.4 million, the information present.
The favored and well-connected pastor, who has not been charged with any crime by the feds, didn’t return calls and declined to remark when approached exterior the church on Sunday.
The co-owner of the Lengthy Island dwelling, who just isn’t being recognized by The Submit, didn’t return a name whereas a rep for the diocese declined to remark, citing investigations by the feds and the diocese.
Gigantiello, well-known among the many Large Apple’s energy brokers, is a well-known determine at fundraisers for needy causes and is a vocal supporter of the NYPD and a number of the metropolis’s most profitable charities.
The priest can be a colourful determine who has authored a cookbook and has his personal line of Italian sauces.
He first received into scorching water final yr when he allowed pop diva Sabrina Carpenter to movie a horny video contained in the 160-year-old church, prompting the diocese to alleviate him of administrative duties.
In September, sources revealed that the feds served a subpoena looking for information of Our Girl of Carmel’s funds, together with dealings with lawyer Frank Carone, a former chief of workers to Mayor Eric Adams.
Then, final week, the diocese introduced it was stripping Gigantiello of pastoral duties on the Brooklyn parish, citing $1.9 million in loans to Carone’s corporations in 2019 and 2021.
In a press release, Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan stated Gigantiello “didn’t inform diocesan officers or search the required approval” for the switch of church funds to the businesses.
Brennan additionally cited the choice to permit Carpenter’s racy music video on the church.
Regardless of the controversy, Our Girl of Carmel parishioners had been standing by their pastor.
“Monsignor Jamie has carried out nothing however good for this parish and he has carried out nothing however good for any parish that he’s been with,” parishioner Joseph Peluso advised The Submit on Sunday.
“He’s made each parish that he’s been in higher, not worse,” Peluso stated. “He’s by no means taken cash, he’s by no means put cash in is pocket, although that’s what they’re attempting to say. He didn’t. In reality, when he got here right here there was $1.9 million between these two parishes.”
Supporters stated Gigantiello raised funds for upgrades at his church, whereas sources be aware that the monsignor is lively in fundraising and charity occasions for the needy within the metropolis.
“I’ve been right here like 100 years — my grandparents went right here after they got here from Italy,” stated Mount Carmel trustworthy Joseph Ciuffo. “Monsignor Jamie has baptized my kids. He has, OK, married them. He was there when my mom was dying. He has carried out nothing however good right here.
“He’s evangelized the neighborhood, the parish, which is a part of what he was despatched to do.”
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