The celebration of the New York Knicks’ historic championship title was supposed to be a moment of pure joy for the city. Instead, for one JPMorgan Chase executive, it became the most expensive souvenir hunt in New York history.
Angie Báez, a 40-year-old executive director at the banking giant, found herself at the center of a national firestorm after a video went viral showing her at the June 18 parade. Dressed in team colors, she was captured on camera emptying the contents of a special edition Knicks-themed trash can onto a Manhattan sidewalk—and then casually walking away with the municipal property.
A Pricey Piece of Memorabilia
The footage, which later showed Báez riding the NYC subway with the blue-and-orange bin in tow, quickly clocked millions of views. While some fans initially cheered the audacity of the “trash bandit,” the mood shifted rapidly once her professional background came to light.
JPMorgan Chase moved swiftly. A spokesperson for the banking firm confirmed that Báez is “no longer with the company,” effectively ending a high-level career in community and industry engagement in a matter of days. While her exact compensation was never disclosed by the bank, industry analysts estimate the role carried a total annual package well into the six figures.
The City Claps Back
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) did not find the humor in the stunt. Officials issued Báez $175 in fines—$75 for the initial act of littering and $100 for impeding departmental operations.
“Dumping trash onto the street and stealing public property for your own personal use are both illegal, antisocial behaviors, and not what New Yorkers do,” DSNY stated. “On top of all that, doing both on camera is incredibly stupid.”
Turning a Theft Into a Win
The story has taken a final, ironic turn. After the stolen bin was recovered and returned to the city, the DSNY decided to lean into the viral fervor. Recognizing the massive demand for the limited-run, hand-painted cans, the department launched a legitimate lottery program dubbed “No Need to Knick a Bin.”
Residents can now enter for a chance to win one of five authentic, full-size parade bins—without the risk of a criminal record or a pink slip. It is a creative resolution to a chaotic week, serving as a reminder that in the social media age, the cost of a “viral moment” is often significantly higher than the value of the prize.
As the city returns to business as usual, the message from officials remains clear: keep the celebration, but leave the public infrastructure exactly where you found it.
