Dustup at Gracie over DOC official’s lack of social media postings

The viral argument between New York City Department of Correction press secretary Annais Morales and the agency’s workplace safety compliance officer Mariam Singh resulted from Morales’ refusal to continuosly post photos of Singh on the department’s social media platforms.

“OK, start recording now,” Singh was heard telling her husband at Mayor Eric Adams’ annual Hispanic Heritage event at Gracie Mansion on Tuesday night, according to a department source who witnessed the exchange. The same witness said the flare-up occurred after Singh had just pressed Morales over why she wasn’t posting the images Singh forwarded to the press office to the department’s social media channels. When Morales replied that the press office had to give other members of the department exposure, Singh turned to her husband who was already in position with his phone up a few feet away and ordered him to begin recording the exchange, the source said.

The witness continued that Morales asked Singh to stop recording and told her she was being insubordinate by recording an official conversation about a work issue with a superior. Singh refused to stop recording and bent completely over backward as Morales attempted to grab her phone to stop her from recording. Singh is seen in a video of the fracas, which has gone viral on social media, making the backward move. Singh’s husband stood by and did not intervene, the source said. After what appears to be Morales repeatedly asking Singh to stop recording her, Morales can be seen grabbing Singh’s phone in the video and tossing it. At this point two correction officers assigned to the recruitment unit move in to disperse the rumpus, the source recalled.

Morales declined to comment when asked about the incident as described by the source. The Department of Correction referred all requests for comment to the mayor’s office. “We expect all city employees to act with the highest level of integrity. This matter is under investigation by the Department of Correction,” said Fabien Levy, deputy mayor for communications, in an email to City & State.

The online account that first shared the video has posted many photos depicting Singh at various Punjabi, Sikh and Southeast Asian events with state and local politicians. In one of them, the account reposted a Department of Correction post celebrating Sikh Heritage Month that featured Singh in several photos.