Manhattan Woman Who Pepper-Sprayed Muslim Uber Driver Is Exposed, Insists 'I'm Not Racist!'

The Manhattan woman who allegedly attacked a Muslim Uber driver with pepper spray has been identified as a public relations assistant and former student.

Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of unleashing a mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud during a hateful night drive in Midtown Manhattan on July 31.

Now, Guilbeault has responded through her lawyer after she was accused of a hate crime – and vehemently denied that the ordeal was motivated by race or religion.

Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, she attended Manhattan College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising and applied communications.

She served as VP Social Chair of her sorority Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years she was pictured dressing up for formal occasions with her glamorous pals, spending a semester abroad and accepting academic awards.

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 fired pepper spray at a Muslim Uber driver in Manhattan, has been revealed to be a public relations assistant

She allegedly sprayed mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud during a late-night drive in midtown Manhattan on July 31

The company condemned the incident on LinkedIn, saying: “We are aware of the actions of this former employee and do not condone this behavior.”

Her lawyer, Michael J. Alber, told DailyMail.com that his client “should not be charged with a hate crime” after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced her indictment on Monday.

“This matter should not be charged as a hate crime.” “Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin or other discriminatory factors,” Alber said.

“This case must be viewed in light of all the circumstances, including the assessment of all evidence and the absence 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 verify all facts in the proper forum that does not sugarcoat or exaggerate the allegations, especially when the integrity and credibility of the allegations can be properly verified.”

“A full and fair review of the evidence will show that no crime was committed in this matter and that a rush to judgment is inappropriate and harmful to all involved,” Alber added.

Guilbeault (right), originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, attended Manhattan College, where she served as 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 that the crime was racially motivated.

Bragg said Guilbeault “senselessly attacked” Mahmud, who called 911 after feeling painful burning and redness from the pepper spray.

“As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly attacked a Muslim Uber driver while he was doing his job.

“The victim is a hard-working New Yorker who should not face this kind of hate because of who he is.” “Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,” Bragg added.

Dramatic dashcam footage captured the entire incident as Guilbeault allegedly lunged 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 back seat of the car while Mahmud spoke Arabic at a red light.

Guilbeault then allegedly sneaked up behind him and sprayed pepper spray into his face as he tried to fight them off, repeatedly saying, “What?” What?'

She then tried to hold his arm in the car while Mahmud managed to unbuckle himself and jumped out of the driver's door.

As she did so, Guilbeault continued to point the mace at him while her confused friend said, “Jen, Jen, what the fuck?!”

Guilbeault then climbed into the front seat as the driver tried to sit back down, but soon ran away.

Guilbeault is seen at the crime scene with her friend

The driver (pictured) suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder as well as visual impairment in his right eye

Mahmud held the door open as he stood outside the vehicle while Guilbeault repeatedly said, “Get him out,” while her friend held her back.

The panicked driver then asked her why she attacked him as Guilbeault opened the back seat door and got out of the car.

Her friend could then be heard shouting “Jen, Jen, Jen!” Why did you do that?' before the two women grabbed their bags and left.

According to the New York Times, Mahmoud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, as well as impaired vision in his right eye.

He had been driving since 2017 and said this was the first time he had been attacked. At the end of September, Mahmud returned to the wheel.

After the hate crime charges were announced, CAIR-NY, an arm of the country's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it “welcomes” the charges against Guilbeault.

Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released Monday. She is expected to return to court in January. (Pictured: Guilbeault, left, with her “little one” from Sigma Delta Tau)

“We welcome the hate crime allegations in this case and thank law enforcement for sending a clear message that those who perpetrate alleged biased attacks will face the consequences,” Afaf Nasher, executive director of CAIR-NY, said Tuesday.

Guilbeault was charged in New York State Supreme Court with one count each 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 disputed this claim.

Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released Monday. She is expected to return to court in January.