NYC Correction Department spokeswoman in dust-up at Gracie Mansion party flings cellphone across room

Graham Rayman, New York Daily News on Oct 9, 2024

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NEW YORK — The New York City Correction Department’s top spokeswoman and the agency’s compliance director got into a dust-up at Gracie Mansion on Tuesday night during a Hispanic Heritage event that ended when the spokeswoman tossed the director’s cellphone across the room, video shows.

The 34-second video, which has been widely shared Wednesday morning, shows DOC Press Secretary Annais Morales grabbing at, then finally snatching health and safety compliance director Mariam Singh’s phone and tossing it across the room. She then points angrily at Singh.

Fabien Levy, deputy mayor for communications, said the episode is under investigation. He referred the question of whether a police report had been filed to the NYPD.

“We expect all city employees to act with the highest level of integrity. This matter is under investigation by the Department of Correction,” he wrote in an email. “I would refer you to the NYPD to inquire whether a police report was filed.”

An NYPD spokesperson said, “There are currently no complaint reports on file.”

It was not clear what started the dust-up, but according to the video, Singh appeared to be filming something during the festivities with her phone. Morales stepped in to object, with Singh trying to evade Morales while she kept filming. At that point, Morales grabbed the phone and tossed it and then pointed angrily at Singh.

The clip begins with Morales wagging her finger at Singh while Singh smirks. Morales reaches for the phone and Singh tries to prevent her from grabbing it as a uniformed correction officer looks on uncomfortably.

Singh, who made $124,553 in 2023, pushes Morales’ arms away as the DOC press official tries to grab the phone and then leans backward over a table to continue filming.

The correction officer reaches in and pulls Morales’ arm away from Singh, the video shows. Morales pauses a beat and then grabs the phone, turns her back to Singh and throws it. Singh looks in the direction the phone was thrown and then back at Morales.

Morales nods and points her finger at Singh again. The clip ends.

Morales, who previously worked in the City Hall press office, and Singh did not immediately reply to emails from The News. Singh also did not reply to a text message.