A woman filmed removing and emptying a public trash can during the Knicks’ championship parade in New York City has had her position as a JPMorgan Chase board member terminated, according to reports.
Angie Baez, 40, who had recently taken on the role of executive director of community and industry engagement with a focus on cards and connected commerce at JPMorgan Chase, was previously the executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Infatuation, a review website based in New York. This site was acquired by Chase as part of their initiative to focus on lifestyle and experiential content.
After footage of the incident emerged, officials confirmed that the bank had conducted an investigation, leading to a spokesperson’s statement that, “This employee has already left the company.”
Attempts to contact Baez for comment were unsuccessful. It was noted that she had joined the parade in a personal capacity.
Video clips that surfaced over the weekend show Baez, dressed in Knicks apparel, dumping the contents of a unique blue and orange trash can onto a Manhattan sidewalk before taking the can with her. Other footage also captures her riding the subway with the stolen trash can.
According to her bio on The Infatuation’s website, Baez is dedicated to making a positive impact in all her endeavors. The site describes her as a “trailblazer” in food media, recognizing her efforts toward creating a more just industry. She is portrayed as someone with deep roots in Dominican culture, hailing from the Bronx, and her passion for storytelling and creativity aims for a more inclusive future in food media.
Additionally, Baez co-founded the Same Page Company, a talent agency that is BIPOC-oriented and focuses on enhancing representation and equity within media and the industry.
Before her most recent position, Baez held leadership roles in diversity and inclusion initiatives at places like Squarespace and Saks Fifth Avenue, according to another biography found online.
Under New York City law, stealing property valued under $1,000 is usually considered petty larceny and charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which generally has minor consequences like fines or community service, especially for first-time offenders. However, littering related to the theft could incur further penalties.
The New York City Department of Sanitation stated that “leaving trash on the street and stealing public property are both illegal acts that New Yorkers typically do not engage in. Doing so on camera is particularly unwise.”
As of June 20, the New York City Police Department reported that no charges had been filed against Baez in relation to this incident.
