Mangione Superfan With NYC Press Pass Works as Aide to NJ Councilman

Abril Rios, a self-described "Mangionista," holds a part-time aide role in a Jersey City councilman's office. She has called the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson "a revolutionary act of protest."

Luigi Mangione Fangirl Holds Staff Role in Jersey City Councilman's Office

Abril Rios — a self-proclaimed "Mangionista" who has flaunted a New York City press pass at court hearings for accused CEO killer Luigi Mangione — is a part-time media and constituent services aide to Jersey City Councilman Jake Ephros, a Democratic Socialist, NY Post Metro reports.

Ephros confirmed the arrangement to NJ.com. Rios has described the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, as "more of a revolutionary act of protest" and handles social media pages and district office hours for the lawmaker.

"Abril is a communications professional with valuable experiences who contributes a lot to the daily works of our office," Ephros said in a statement to NJ.com. "As a freelance press, she is mainly active in the coverage of a single case in New York City, which does not conflict with nor impact the important work she performs for us in Jersey City."

Ephros added that his "understanding" is that Rios' involvement in the Mangione case centers on "her support for Medicare for All." According to her LinkedIn page, she has been working for the councilman since June.

Ephros, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is himself a supporter of universal healthcare. He also backs universal rent control, a municipal grocery store in Jersey City, and eliminating the tipped minimum wage, according to NJ.com.

Press Pass Controversy

Rios, along with fellow "Mangionistas" Ashley Rojas and Lena Weissbrot, drew widespread criticism after the three publicly displayed press credentials issued by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration during a key evidentiary hearing in the murder case in May.

Rios — who describes herself as a model and a "Hot Girl for Zohran" — writes about the Mangione case on Substack. In a previous post co-bylined by the group, she defended her press pass. "Just like you can get a press pass to push anti-socialist slop, I can also get one to use my voice to platform what I believe in," she wrote.

In a self-published article from August, following Mangione's guilty plea to federal charges, Rios wrote: "We were always the supporters, who saw a brave young American standing up to the lived experiences we all share." Mangione had detailed a plot to assassinate Thompson, a father of two, over grievances against the healthcare industry.

Mayor Mamdani has since stated that the three women should not have received press credentials. The New York City Council also recently took up a bill, sponsored by Brooklyn Councilman Chris Banks, that would allow the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment to suspend or revoke press credentials through an administrative hearing process. The legislation would also require the office to review its rules on the issuance and revocation of credentials.

Rios Pushes Back on Credential Bill

Rios told NJ.com she is "very concerned" about the proposed bill. "I think there's just blatant viewpoint discrimination taking place at this time," she said, comparing the measure to restrictions placed on certain media outlets at the White House under President Trump.

"I think it's only bolstering authoritarianism," she added, before describing herself as "extremely multifaceted" in her career. "I can't just say I'm a member of the press, or I'm just an activist, or I'm just a media aide," Rios said. "I'm someone who's extremely multifaceted, and that's something I've always been proud of."

Ephros did not respond to a request for comment from NY Post Metro.

Source: NY Post Metro