Jennifer Guilbeault: From Manhattan College to Hate Crime Charges
Jennifer Guilbeault, a Manhattan College graduate with a degree in communications, found herself at the center of a controversial incident that led to hate crime charges and the termination of her employment. This article examines Guilbeault's background, the details surrounding the alleged assault, and the aftermath of the incident.
Background and Education
Guilbeault, a native of Northbridge, Massachusetts, earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication from Manhattan College in the Bronx. During her time at Manhattan College, Guilbeault was actively involved in campus life, serving as the VP social chair for her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau. Glitzy photos posted to the Manhattan College chapter’s social media page show her and her sisters dressing up for formals and celebrating scholarships.
Interestingly, during the Fall 2020 semester, while a sophomore, Guilbeault chose to remain a remote student. She stated, “I didn’t really feel like moving all my stuff in just to be sent home.” She also acknowledged the effectiveness of Manhattan College's COVID-19 guidelines, saying she felt MC’s guidelines were effective in addressing the cases and minimizing the spread of the virus. Guilbeault further elaborated on the benefits of remote learning, noting, “As a remote student, I definitely feel like I have more time, [especially because of] the social aspect that I’m not around for, like my friends distracting me or going out and stuff,” Guilbeault said. “I feel like I definitely have more time, that I get my work done faster and sooner. I definitely prioritize my work more, and I’m in a more set routine at home." However, she expressed her intention to revive her on-campus roles in person the following semester.
The Uber Incident and Hate Crime Allegations
The incident that brought Guilbeault into the public eye occurred in July. Guilbeault, then 23 years old, was accused of spraying her Uber driver, Shohel Mahmud, with mace. The driver, Shohel Mahmud, later claimed that Guilbeault launched her assault simply because of his skin color. He said he hadn’t spoken at all to the women when he picked them up near Lexington Avenue and East 66th Street in Midtown. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Guilbeault attacked the driver when he began praying in Arabic just as he approached a red light. Court documents alleged that in July last year, Guilbeault, 23, pepper-sprayed Uber driver Shohel Mahmud, 45, as he began to pray in Arabic at a red light. Guilbeault was seated in the back with another passenger. “Ms Guilbeault lunged forward, towards the driver's seat,” the district attorney said at the time. Video obtained by local news outlet ABC7 showed that she then sprayed Mr Mahmud in the face. Mr Mahmud can be seen shouting in pain, and shortly after Guilbeault can be seen and heard saying to the other passenger: “Get him out.” In the video, the other passenger appears shocked and repeatedly asks Guilbeault what she is doing. When describing the attack to ABC7, Mr Shohel said that he “was kind of hanging out of the car” and that his seat belt prevented him from escaping initially. “I closed my eyes and finally got out, but realised my car was running so I put it in park again and got out,” he said.
According to Mahmud, he hadn’t spoken to the women when he picked them up. He told The Post days after the attack. “Her friend, she is yelling, ‘Jen, Jen, what the f-k, what are you doing? What’s going on?’”
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Video circulating only allegedly shows Guilbeault spraying the Uber driver. The father of three jumped out of the car, thinking the women were trying to rob him and his vehicle. When he hopped back inside as the car started to roll, she maced him again. Cops arrested Guilbeault at the scene, but initially only gave her a desk ticket.
Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on two counts of assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment for the Upper East Side attack, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
Legal Defense and Repercussions
Guilbeault was charged with a hate crime, sparking considerable debate and legal maneuvering. Guilbeault’s attorneys argued that the case should not be handled as a hate crime - and that a full review of the evidence would prove that.
“Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory factor,” Michael J. Alber said in a statement. “This case needs to be looked at with all surrounding circumstances which include assessing all of the evidence and lack of evidence,” he added. “We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s office to fully vet all of the facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of claims can properly be tested.”
Guilbeault's lawyer, Michael Alber, has not yet responded to The National's requests for comment on her guilty plea. In October, he said his client had not been "motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor" in the incident. "This case needs to be looked at with all surrounding circumstances, which include assessing all of the evidence and lack of evidence," he added. "We look forward to working with the District Attorney's office to fully vet all of the facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of claims can properly be tested. "A full and fair review of the evidence is going to show a crime was not committed in this matter, and that a rush to judgment is not appropriate, and is hurtful to all those involved."
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Hate crimes generally concern specifically attacking someone due to bias-motivation based on ethnicity, religion, gender or disability. Hate crimes have strong potential to resulting in more severe penalties, but can often be more difficult to prove.
The Uber passenger charged with a hate crime for pepper spraying a Muslim driver in Manhattan is a former sorority girl who was fired from her PR job over the shocking incident. However, her employer, D Pagan Communications in Melville, fired her over the shocking incident. Agency president Debra Pagan confirmed to PR Weekly that Guilbeault had left the firm, without saying when she left. “We are aware of the actions of this former employee and we don’t condone this behavior,” the company, which specializes in PR for tech companies, said on X in August. Jennifer Guilbeault’s employer, D. Pagan Communications in Melville, fired her over the shocking incident.
Victim's Perspective and Forgiveness
In an interview with the New York Post, the victim, Mr Mahmud said that he ultimately decided to forgive Ms Guilbeault, citing his religious beliefs and adding that he didn't want her to serve any prison time. Shohel Mahmud, the Muslim Uber driver who was pepper sprayed in the face during prayer.
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