Merrill Lynch fires smoothie-throwing Connecticut man who referenced employee’s ‘immigration status’ during rant
The Connecticut man who hurled a smoothie and profanities during a heated exchange at a Robeks store has been fired from his job at Merrill Lynch, the company confirmed.
James Iannazzo, a financial advisor, was arrested following the incident Saturday at the smoothie store in Fairfield, which was captured in a video that went viral on TikTok.
“Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind,” a Merrill Lynch spokesman said in a statement obtained by the Daily News. “We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm.”
Iannazzo “became irate” after he returned to a Robeks store where he was allegedly given a smoothie containing peanuts that gave his son an allergic reaction, according to Fairfield Police.
“He then threw a drink at an employee, which hit their right shoulder,” police said. “The employee reported that they had no complaints of pain or injury.”
Police continued, “Iannazzo also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status.”
Iannazzo, who has worked at Merrill Lynch since 1995, was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bigotry or bias, criminal trespass and breach of peace charges after turning himself in to authorities.
Police said his child was taken to a local hospital after emergency officials responded to their home.
