Knicks Parade Incident Leads to City Fines and Job Loss
Incident at Knicks Championship Parade
A viral stunt during the New York Knicks championship parade resulted in city fines and job termination for a JPMorgan Chase executive. New York City sanitation officials acted after recovering a Knicks-themed trash can that Angie Báez was accused of taking from a Manhattan street.
Báez returned the commemorative litter basket almost a week after she was videotaped dumping trash from the container onto the sidewalk before leaving with it. The New York City Department of Sanitation confirmed the basket’s return on Wednesday morning.
Penalties Imposed
The Department of Sanitation informed Fox News Digital that Sanitation Police issued Báez two summonses. She received a $75 fine for littering and a $100 fine for impeding sanitation operations. According to a department spokesperson, these fines represent the maximum penalties for first offenses.
The video of the incident rapidly spread across social media after the June 18 parade. The event drew hundreds of thousands of fans to Lower Manhattan to celebrate the Knicks’ NBA championship victory, their first in over fifty years.
JPMorgan Chase Executive
Following the incident, Báez was identified by the New York Post as a JPMorgan Chase executive, listed as Executive Director of Community and Industry Engagement for Card and Connected Commerce on her LinkedIn profile. Her experience included diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership roles. Báez was no longer employed by JPMorgan Chase after the event.
Fox News Digital contacted JPMorgan Chase for additional comments regarding Báez’s departure. A spokesperson confirmed her employment termination with the company but declined to provide further details.
NYPD Response and Cleanup Costs
Despite public attention, the New York Police Department reported no complaint connected to the incident. An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that no complaint report existed based on the provided inquiry information.
The Department of Sanitation stated it does not have a cost estimate for the cleanup related to the trash dumped from the basket. However, they noted the amount was minute compared to the extensive cleanup efforts after the parade, which involved collecting over 75,260 pounds of confetti and litter.
The department also shared a lighthearted social media post about the basket’s return. Interested fans can purchase smaller versions of Knicks-themed baskets online.