When pop star Sabrina Carpenter needed a location for her next music video, she and her team decided on a beautiful church in Brooklyn. It seemed like the perfect spot to bring her vision to life. Sabrina’s team approached the church’s pastor, who we’ll refer to simply as “Pastor,” to negotiate the details. After some discussion, Pastor agreed to let the crew use the church in exchange for a $5,000 donation to the congregation. The agreement was made, and soon, Sabrina and her crew were filming.
The shoot went off without a hitch. Sabrina performed her song, showcasing her trademark dance moves in the church’s elegant interior. Once filming wrapped, the crew cleaned up and left. The church returned to its normal routines, and everything seemed to have gone smoothly. That is, until Sabrina’s music video dropped.
Like many of Sabrina’s music videos, this one quickly went viral, racking up over 100 million views on YouTube. In the video, Sabrina could be seen singing and dancing in the church. Some viewers considered her movements provocative, though opinions varied. However, when the video reached the bishop of the church, he was less than pleased. Along with other church leaders, the bishop was reportedly outraged. They believed the video was inappropriate and took issue with Pastor’s decision to allow the filming.
The Fallout for the Pastor
As the backlash grew, the bishop took action. Pastor was demoted and stripped of his duties for his role in permitting the shoot. To address what they saw as the desecration of the church, the bishop performed a re-blessing ceremony, sprinkling holy water throughout the space. It seemed that Sabrina’s video had stirred more than just a controversy.
But here’s where the story takes a surprising turn. The incident prompted the church’s leadership to conduct an internal investigation into Pastor’s actions. During their review, they uncovered financial discrepancies. Between 2019 and 2021, Pastor had allegedly transferred nearly $2 million of church funds to a law firm and a few other entities. These transactions were reportedly not authorized by the church.
The Plot Thickens: Enter Frank and Mayor Eric
The investigation revealed that the law firm and companies receiving the church’s money were connected to a man named Frank, a former chief of staff for “Mayor Eric” (the actual mayor of New York City). Coincidentally, these transfers occurred during Mayor Eric’s campaign for office. The evidence suggested that the church funds were being funneled to support his campaign.
As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered allegations that Mayor Eric had been accepting bribes in exchange for political favors. Further, Pastor and others in his circle were accused of helping launder money through these entities. Employees of these companies were allegedly directed to donate to the mayor’s campaign, a practice that’s illegal under campaign finance laws. Altogether, authorities estimated that Mayor Eric’s team had defrauded New York City out of $10 million.
Federal Charges and Public Backlash
As federal authorities built their case, the situation escalated. Mayor Eric faced five federal charges, including bribery, fraud, and soliciting illegal foreign campaign donations. The news made headlines, and many of Mayor Eric’s staff resigned, distancing themselves from the growing scandal. Members of his political party called for his resignation, but Mayor Eric refused to step down.
In a public statement, Mayor Eric denied all allegations, claiming that the charges were baseless. However, public opinion was not on his side. Many New Yorkers viewed him as corrupt, and his approval ratings plummeted. Despite this, he remained in office and even announced plans to run for reelection.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Unexpected Role in the Scandal
As the scandal unfolded, Sabrina Carpenter found herself inadvertently tied to the controversy. Her music video, which had initially caused a stir within the church, was now a footnote in a much larger story. In interviews, Sabrina joked about the situation, saying, “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted or not?” While she had no direct involvement in the scandal, her video was the catalyst for the chain of events that exposed the alleged corruption.
Luigi’s Case and Mayor Eric’s Misstep
Meanwhile, another high-profile case added to the drama surrounding Mayor Eric. Luigi, a man accused of using a 3D-printed firearm to murder a healthcare CEO, had been arrested and was awaiting extradition to New York City. The case had garnered national attention.
Mayor Eric saw Luigi’s extradition as an opportunity to score political points. He organized an over-the-top perp walk for Luigi, complete with a large police escort and media coverage. Mayor Eric himself participated in the event, positioning himself at the center of the spectacle. Critics called the display unnecessary and accused the mayor of using the situation to distract from his own legal troubles.
Luigi’s lawyer criticized the mayor’s involvement, stating, “The mayor should know more than anyone about the presumption of innocence, especially given his own issues.” The stunt backfired, further damaging Mayor Eric’s reputation.
What’s Next?
As of now, Mayor Eric is preparing for his corruption trial, which is set to take place later this year. The charges against him have cast a shadow over his administration, and his reelection campaign faces significant hurdles. Pastor, too, is under scrutiny for his alleged role in the scheme. Sabrina Carpenter, on the other hand, has moved on with her career, amused by the unintended consequences of her music video.
This story serves as a reminder of how one seemingly unrelated event can unravel a web of deception. From a pop star’s music video to a federal investigation, the scandal has left an indelible mark on New York City’s political landscape.
