Video from June 18, 2026, shows a woman identified as Angie Báez removing a Knicks-branded trash can in Manhattan and later riding the subway with it. JPMorgan Chase said she "is no longer with the company," but the bank did not confirm whether her departure was related to the incident. DSNY says the can was returned and issued two summonses; the NYPD reported no complaint on file. Báez’s most recent listed role at Chase does not appear to have been DEI-focused.
Fact Check: Did JPMorgan Chase Fire A DEI Executive Over A Stolen Knicks Trash Can?
Zamek/VIEWpress accessed via Getty Images, New York City Department of Sanitation accessed via X, illustrated by Snopes
In June 2026, a viral video showed a woman removing a New York Knicks–themed trash can during the team’s championship celebrations in Manhattan. The incident prompted broad social sharing and claims that JPMorgan Chase fired a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) executive over the theft. The available evidence combines confirmed facts, inaccuracies and unanswered questions.
What We Know
Video evidence: Footage from June 18, 2026, shows a woman identified in news reports as Angie Báez emptying and taking a blue-and-orange Knicks-branded trash can on Church Street in Manhattan, and later riding the subway with the can.
Employment status: A JPMorgan Chase spokesperson told reporters the person photographed "is no longer with the company," confirming Báez had worked at the bank and is no longer employed there.
Sanitation response: The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) said the trash can was returned. Sanitation Police issued two summonses: one for littering ($75) and one for impeding DSNY operations ($100), the maximum fines allowed for first offenses under city rules.
What Is Not Confirmed
Whether she was fired for the incident: JPMorgan Chase did not confirm that Báez’s departure was connected to the viral videos or whether she was terminated as a result. The company’s public statement did not specify cause.
Criminal complaints: The New York Police Department told fact-checkers it had no complaint report on file related to the videos.
Employment Background And Context
Publicly accessible databases and organization charts show Báez previously worked in roles described as DEI-related at other organizations, such as The Infatuation. However, her most recent listed title at JPMorgan Chase (per online contact-finding services) was "Executive Director, Community and Industry Engagement, Card and Connected Commerce," a role that does not explicitly reference DEI.
The New York Post and other outlets identified Báez in the footage; the identification was corroborated by comparing published images and video frames. Reporters attempting to reach Báez via a phone number connected to a résumé did not receive a response as of the time of reporting.
Bottom Line
The viral claim mixes true, false and undetermined elements: video shows Angie Báez taking a Knicks-themed trash can and JPMorgan Chase confirmed she is no longer employed there, but the bank has not said whether she was fired because of the videos. Her most recent role at Chase does not appear to have been DEI-focused, and city sanitation officials say the can was returned and fines were issued.
Sources
Reporting and public records referenced include video footage circulated online, statements from JPMorgan Chase and the New York City Department of Sanitation, news reporting identifying the individual as Angie Báez, and employment listings on public contact and organization sites.
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