NYC cabbie’s license revoked for flirting with Brooklyn passenger

December 27, 2013 By Charisma L. Miller, Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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A cab driver who made crude remarks to a female passenger had his license revoked by an administrative law judge.

Cab driver Mirza Baig, 22, picked up a female passenger from LaGuardia Airport in March who was going to a Brooklyn apartment. During the ride, the passenger asserted that Baig asked the woman “whether she was going to her boyfriend’s house.” Baig’s questions become steadily invasive – he asked her who she “would be sleeping with that night and whether she would be sleeping with her boyfriend.”

ALJ Tynia Richard noted in her ruling that while the passenger left an almost 20 percent tip, she did so because she did not want to “anger” Baig, despite the fact that Baig did not offer to assist her in removing her luggage from the trunk of the cab.

Richard’s report further states that out of frustration, the passenger flicked Baig the middle finger and nervously attempted to enter her apartment building. Not taking a hint that he was in any way disrespectful, Baig reportedly yelled “You have a real nice ass, baby,” as he drove off.

Baig’s attorney, Cynthia Fisher, argued that her client “he was genuinely flirting with her and meant no disrespect.” Richard disagreed. “I find the respondent’s conduct unprofessional, crude and offensive, and it deserves the severest punishment.” Richard noted in her recommendation that Baig’s license be revoked.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) responded in kind, noting that Baig’s actions were “unacceptable.” TLC spokesman Allan Fromberg said, “It is unacceptable for a driver to cross the line of propriety with a passenger, and in the rare occasions when it happens, we are grateful to be alerted to it so we can take the appropriate actions, as we did in this instance.”