Passenger who pepper-sprayed Muslim Uber driver fired from PR job

The Uber passenger charged with a hate crime for pepper-spraying a Muslim driver in Manhattan is a former student who was fired from her public relations job over the shocking incident.

23-year-old Jennifer Guilbeault, a Manhattan College graduate, had just begun a promising career at a New York public relations firm when she was caught on dashcam in July jumping forward to spray her rideshare driver, which frightened the friend who accompanied her.

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 company, without saying when she left.

“We are aware of the actions of this former employee and do not condone this behavior,” the firm, which specializes in PR for technology companies, told X in August.

Guilbeault's lawyers argued that the case should not be treated as a hate crime — and that a full review of the evidence would prove it.

“MS. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor,” Michael J. Alber said in a statement.

“This case must be viewed in light of all the circumstances, including assessing all evidence and the absence of evidence,” he added.

“We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s Office to fully verify all facts in the proper forum that does not sugarcoat or exaggerate the allegations, particularly where the integrity and credibility of the allegations can be properly examined.”

Guilbeault, a native of Northbridge, Massachusetts, earned a bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising and applied communications from Bronx University, where she also served as VP social chair for her sorority Sigma Delta Tau, according to an online profile.

Glittery photos posted to the Manhattan College chapter's social media page show her and her sisters dressing up for formal occasions and celebrating scholarships.

Guilbeault was charged in New York State Supreme Court with assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment for the Upper East Side shooting, the Manhattan district attorney's office said Tuesday.

According to a viral clip circulating online, around 12:15 p.m., Guilbeault was sitting in the back seat with the other woman when she suddenly sprayed the harmful substance into the 45-year-old driver's eyes.

The driver, Shohel Mahmud, later claimed that Guilbeault had launched their attack simply because of his skin color. He said he didn't speak to the women at all when he picked them up near Lexington Avenue and East 66th Street in Midtown.

“Her friend is screaming, 'Jen, Jen, what the fuck, what are you doing?' What's going on?'” Mahmud told the Post a few days after the attack. “Her friend asks, 'Why did you do that?' And she says, 'He's brown.'”

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Guilbeault attacked the driver when he began praying in Arabic as he approached a red light.

The father of three jumped out of the car because he believed the women were trying to rob him and his vehicle. When he jumped back in as the car started rolling, she hit him again.

Police officers arrested Guilbeault at the scene, but initially only gave her a ticket.