A recent incident involving a Knicks championship parade stunt has led to unexpected repercussions, including job loss for a JPMorgan Chase executive. The city has now imposed fines after retrieving a Knicks-themed trash can reportedly taken from a Manhattan street by said executive.
According to the New York City Department of Sanitation, Angie Báez returned the commemorative trash can on Wednesday morning. This action follows a video capturing her emptying its contents onto a sidewalk before taking the can during the Knicks’ championship celebrations.
The Department of Sanitation confirmed to News Media that its police authority issued Báez two summonses related to the episode. She received a $75 penalty for littering and an additional $100 fine for hindering sanitation operations.
On June 18, 2026, Broadway in Lower Manhattan was crowded with fans for the New York Knicks’ championship parade. This celebration marked the team’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs, clinching the NBA Finals in five games and ending a 53-year championship drought. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“These fines represent the maximum allowable by law for first-time offenders,” stated a spokesperson from the department.
Video of the incident spread widely on social media following the June 18 parade, which drew hundreds of thousands of fans to Lower Manhattan to celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship in more than five decades.
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Báez was later identified by the New York Post as a JPMorgan Chase executive whose LinkedIn profile listed her as Executive Director of Community and Industry Engagement for Card and Connected Commerce. Her previous experience included diversity, equity and inclusion leadership roles, including at The Infatuation, which was acquired by Chase in 2021.
The entrance to JPMorgan Chase’s international headquarters on Park Avenue is seen in New York on Oct. 2, 2012. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)
Following the incident, JPMorgan Chase confirmed that Báez was no longer employed by the company.
News Media contacted JPMorgan Chase on Wednesday seeking additional comment about her departure.
“This employee is no longer with the company,” a spokesperson said, reiterating the company’s previous statement.
The company declined to provide additional details.
Despite the public attention surrounding the incident, the New York Police Department indicated it has no complaint report on file.
Police officers prepare to disperse the crowd after the New York Knicks’ win against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Bryant Park in New York City, U.S., June 13, 2026. (REUTERS/Christian Monterrosa)
“There is no complaint report on file with the information provided in your inquiry,” an NYPD spokesperson told News Media.
The Department of Sanitation said it does not have an estimate for the cleanup costs associated with the trash dumped from the basket, but noted the amount was insignificant compared to the overall cleanup effort following the parade.
“We do not have a cost estimate, but note that the trash you see in the video is a tiny amount in comparison to the 75,260 pounds of confetti and litter we collected Thursday and Friday,” the department said.
The agency also appeared to have some fun with the situation in a social media post announcing the basket’s return.
“We have 23,000 litter baskets on the street citywide, and you never know where one of these may pop up,” the department said, adding that fans interested in a Knicks-themed basket can purchase smaller versions online.