The Manhattan woman who allegedly attacked a Muslim Uber driver with pepper spray has been identified as a public relations assistant and former fraternity member.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of unleashing a mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud during a hate-fueled late-night drive in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.
Now Guilbeault, through her lawyer, has backtracked after being charged with a hate crime, vehemently denying that the ordeal was motivated by race or religion.
Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, the woman attended Manhattan College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in public relations, advertising and applied communications.
She was VP Social President of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years she was pictured dressing up for formal occasions with her glamorous friends, spending a semester abroad, and receiving academic honors.
After graduating, she worked for D Pagan Communications – a public relations firm based in Melville, New York – which confirmed that her employment had been terminated.
Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, the woman who allegedly unleashed pepper spray on a Muslim Uber driver in Manhattan, has been exposed as a PR assistant
She reportedly sprayed mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud during a late-night drive in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.
The company turned to LinkedIn to condemn the incident, saying: “We are aware of the actions of this former employee and we will not tolerate this behavior.”
Her attorney, Michael J. Alber, told DailyMail.com that his client “should not be charged with a hate crime” after the Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg announced her arraignment Monday.
“This case should not be charged as a hate crime. Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin or any other discriminatory factor,” Alber said.
“This case must be viewed with all the surrounding circumstances, including assessing all the evidence and the lack of evidence,” adding that he and his client “look forward” to investigating the facts of the case.
“We look forward to working with the District Attorney’s Office to fully investigate all the facts in the appropriate forum that does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially if the integrity and credibility of the claims can be properly tested.
“A full and fair review of the evidence will demonstrate that no crime was committed in this case, and that hasty judgment is inappropriate and harmful to all involved,” Alber added.
Guilbeault (right), originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, attended Manhattan College, where she was VP Social Chair of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau
Guilbeault (second from left), was charged in August with assault and battery as a hate crime, but denied the crime was racially motivated.
Bragg said Guilbeault “senselessly attacked” Mahmud, who called 911 after experiencing a painful burning sensation and redness from the pepper spray.
“As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly attacked a Muslim Uber driver while he was simply doing his job.
“The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who should not have to deal with this kind of hate because of his identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,” Bragg added.
Dramatic dashcam footage captured the entire incident as Guilbeault allegedly charged at Mahmud and sprayed him in the face before pulling his arm back as he tried to push her off, while her friend sat in the backseat, stunned by her actions.
Guilbeault and her friend sat in the backseat of the car as Mahmud spoke Arabic while stopped at a red light.
Guilbeault then allegedly snuck up from behind him and shoved the pepper spray in his face as he tried to fight her off, repeatedly saying, “What? What?’
She then tried to hold his arm inside the car while Mahmud managed to free himself and jumped out through the driver’s door.
As he did so, Guilbeault continued pointing the mace at him as her confused friend said, “Jen, Jen, who cares?!”
Guilbeault then climbed into the front seat as the driver attempted to sit back down, but soon ran out.
Guilbeault is seen with her boyfriend at the scene of the attack
The driver (pictured) suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with reduced vision in his right eye
Mahmud held the door open while standing outside the vehicle as Guilbeault repeatedly said “get him out” as her friend held her down.
The panicked driver then asked her why she attacked him, as Guilbeault opened the backseat door and got out of the car.
Her friend was then heard shouting, “Jen, Jen, Jen! Why did you do that?’ before the two women packed their bags and left.
According to The New York Times, Mahmud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with impaired vision in his right eye.
He said this was the first time he had been attacked. Mahmud returned behind the wheel at the end of September.
Following the announcement of hate crime charges, CAIR-NY, a division of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, said it “welcomed” Guilbeault’s indictment.
Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released Monday. She will appear in court again in January. (Photo: Guilbeault, left, with her ‘little one’ from Sigma Delta Tau)
“We welcome the hate crime charges in this case and thank law enforcement authorities for sending a clear message that those who allegedly carry out bias-motivated attacks will face consequences,” CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said Tuesday.
Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree aggravated harassment.
She was charged in August with assault and battery as a hate crime because Mahmud, a father of three from Queens, believes her actions were racially motivated. Guilbeault denied that claim.
Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released Monday. She will appear in court again in January.