", "I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robek's, and I wish I had not done so. But now its not the same anymore. Thanks for contacting us. He threatened to kill us multiple times. James Iannazzo was arrested in an incident at Robeks in Fairfield, Connecticut, that went viral. He and his wife are proud parents of three young children and reside in Fairfield, CT. . The employees said he could contact the corporate offices of Robeks, a national smoothie chain based in Los Angeles. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night., His companys website says, The Iannazzo Group believes that good client relationships are built through teamwork and client involvement, delivered through our advisors, client associates and access to the global resources of Merrill. Thanks for signing up! Iannazzos lawyer, Frank Riccio II, said in a statement, Mr. Jim also actively volunteers at community events and supports several non-profit organizations in the area., Iannazzo said on his company website, In March of 2019, Jim Iannazzo was recognized by Barrons as one of Americas Top 1,200 Advisors: State by State for the fifth year in a row. Mitchell Fitter, the Aegis Capital Westport branch manager, has declined to comment to CT Insider about Iannazzos hiring. March 10, 2022. A spokesman for Bank of America, the parent company of Merrill Lynch, confirmed in an email on Sunday that Mr. Iannazzo no longer worked there. A Google listing for Mr. Iannazzos wealth management office, which was based in Stamford, Conn., was flooded with negative reviews after his tirade. As we previously reported, Iannazzowho has been charged with intimidation based on bigotry or bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass behind the incidentbought a smoothie for his son that allegedly contained peanuts, which caused an allergic reaction that resulted in his child being hospitalized. We didnt know if he was going to jump over the counter, she said of the now-viral moment Saturday at the Robeks store in Fairfield. Heres what you need to know about James Jim Iannazzo: I've identified this man as James Iannazzo of @MerrillLynch being racist and assaulting a minor pic.twitter.com/O8Ic6jyh3p, Danesh (@thatdaneshguy) January 23, 2022, Fairfield Police said they received multiple calls about 2:26 p.m. from employees of the 2061 Black Rock Turnpike store, reporting a customer was throwing things, yelling at employees, and refusing to leave. Police said, A short time later, Iannazzo returned to Robeks and confronted employees, yelling at them and demanding to know who had made the smoothie which contained peanuts, causing his childs allergic reaction. I feel terrible that I lost my composure so completely. He was arrested and charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, second-degree breach of peace and first-degree criminal trespass after the Saturday, January 22, 2022, incident, Fairfield Police said in a statement. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, I rage applied myself out of workplace hell and into an extra $50K, Im an 89-year-old who went on my first date in 30 years but got stood up, I make a kid cry over a Formula 1 test ride and people are applauding, I cut up a $2,100 Prada jumpsuit heres what I did with it. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Karens Husband Loses Job, Apologizes Following Arrest For Racist, Violent Tirade At Connecticut Smoothie Shop. Thank God, he is doing OK, he said, detailing how he had been out of my mind with fear for him when he returned to Robeks. Brenda L. Kupchick, the chief elected official in Fairfield, said on Monday that she was grateful that the police took swift action and charged Mr. Iannazzo. Iannazzo was arrested Saturday after turning himself in, and charged with "intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree, second-degree breach of peace, and first-degree criminal trespass. My son lost the capacity to breathe properly; his lips and face swelled up, and he required an EpiPen shot, but it did not offer him relief, Iannazzo told WTNH. Just watched the video- fuck that guy. I want the f***** number. He then yells, Youre f***** immigrant loser, and appears to be heading toward the door to the area behind the counter, which the employees are standing in front of to block as they call police. ", Fairfield Police said that on Saturday afternoon they received "numerous calls from employees reporting a customer was throwing things, yelling at employees, and refusing to leave. We appreciate the swift action by law enforcement and the judicial system in pursuing criminal charges for this unacceptable behavior., Houston Teen Shot Girlfriend 22 Times in Deadly Park Ambush: Cops [PHOTO], James Iannazzo, Man Charged in Robeks Video: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. According to Fairfield Police, Iannazzo was arrested on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night., Frank J. Riccio II, Iannazzos attorney, took to Twitter to note that his client stressed to the staff that the product must not contain peanuts and that Iannazzos son has a life-threatening peanut allergy.. He also insisted that his clients receipt for the order showed that it should not have had peanut butter. Going the extra mile for clients is never going out of my way., Scott Henry: Cy-Fair ISD School Board Member Fired Over Viral Comments. L.A. City Council Shutdown Because Council Members Caught on Opinion: Sacramento Mass Shooting Confirms What Experts Already Knew, What the Puck? I feel terrible that I lost my composure so completely. Anyone can read what you share. We've received your submission. The chaos began when he returned home with a smoothie from the business that purportedly contained peanuts causing the allergic reaction that sent his son to the hospital, authorities said at the time. A Connecticut man was arrested for hurling racist insults at employees of a local smoothie shopafter his sonallegedly had an allergic reaction that sent him to the hospital. I will be extending my apologies personally to the Robeks organization, particularly the staff that was working there that night. This individual is no longer employed at our firm.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. was originally published on His lawyer said he was upset after his son had a severe allergic reaction to a drink. My son then went to the bathroom, threw up and fell unconscious to the floor. But she said police told them it wasnt considered assault because no one was injured. He also lost his financial advisor job at Merrill Lynch once he was identified in the viral video. My son then went to the bathroom, threw up and fell unconscious to the floor. They do not reflect my values or my character. He said his sons lips and face swelled up, he threw up, and he was taken to the hospital. OTHER NEWS:Family Can Be Worse Than Strangers: The Journal of Steffanie Rivers | WATCH, Ive identified this man as James Iannazzo of @MerrillLynch being racist and assaulting a minor pic.twitter.com/O8Ic6jyh3p, Danesh (@thatdaneshguy) January 23, 2022. He is not a racist and deeply regrets his statement and actions during a moment of extreme emotional stress, Riccio said. The tirade started over a smoothie, with a Connecticut man demanding to know who made a drink that he said triggered his sons severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Now, the man, identified by the police as James Iannazzo, 48, of Fairfield, is facing a hate crime charge in connection with the outburst, which also cost him his job as a financial adviser for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Video of the incident was recorded by the employees and posted online, where it has been viewed millions of times. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. James Iannazzo, who was arrested after he got himself caught on a viral video launching into a violent and racist tirade directed at a group of teenage employees at Robeks smoothie shop in Fairfield, Connecticut, wads fired as a top-ranking Merrill Lynch broker after the incident. Robeks said in a statement to NBC Connecticut, At Robeks, our priority is to protect both store team members and guests. The employee reported that they had no complaints of pain or injury. ", Police said store workers told cops that "Iannazzo never told them about the peanut allergy but had only requested that there be no peanut butter in his drink.". Merrill Lynch fired Iannazzo on Sunday, after becoming aware of the TikTok video, which has garnered more than 2.6. million views after it was posted on Twitter. launching into a violent and racist tirade, Fired! The video was posted on social media by the Robeks workers and shared by ThatDaneshGuy, a popular TikTok user who exposes racist and other outrageous behavior in public and online, often using information to identify the people in viral videos. James went to Norwalk High School, finished graduation in 1991, and later went to the University . As much as I did want to, I just felt like it wasnt really professional for me to do that.. Connecticut law says a class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. But Timothy Aspinwall, the lawyer for one of the teens, vehemently objected to Iannazzos sentence and presented the judge with a petition signed by 200 people. "F---ing b---h," Iannazzo fumes at a female worker in the story before tossing the drink at her, the video shows. I feel terrible that I lost my composure so completely., Iannazzo continued, I was out of my mind with fear for him when I returned to Robeks, and I wish I had not done so. I also wish they had been more careful preparing my sons beverage. Kodak Black Caught Having Sex in White Teacher Hits The Jerk as Students Go Wild Are AKAs Too Insecure? When faced with a dire situation for his son, Mr. Iannazzos parental instinct kicked in and he acted out of anger and fear, Mr. Riccio said. 2023 CNBC LLC. Retweet. The company and its franchisees have a zero-tolerance policy for this type of behavior, and we are thankful that the franchisees team members were not physically hurt, Ms. Caruso said on Monday. My actions at Robeks were wrong, and I deeply regret them, he said. James Iannazzo, the former Merrill Lynch broker who was fired in January after an incident at a Connecticut smoothie shop, is now a registered broker with Aegis Capital Corp., which is based in. "You f---ing immigrant, loser," the Fairfield resident then says before trying to enter an area of the store marked "employees only.". He then threw a drink at an employee, which hit their right shoulder.". The irate dad returned to Robeks and screamed at workers, demanding to know who made the smoothie containing the allergen. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox. Meanwhile, in a statement to TMZ, Iannazzo apologized for his actions. Hill, meanwhile, told WFSB that we are sorry on behalf of Robeks for how the smoothie was made.. One of the workers can be heard saying, Im calling the police, as Iannazzo walks toward the entrance to the employees-only section of the store. pic.twitter.com/qsZB50D33V, According to his LinkedIn profile, Iannazzo has been a wealth management advisor and managing director affiliated with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management since November 1995. He was arrested in Fairfield, Connecticut, and booked on charges of intimidation based on bias, breach of peace, and criminal trespass. The video shows Iannazzo at the store's counter, loudly demanding to know who had made the drink for his son. His son's lips turned blue and he could breathe requiring Iannazzo to call 911. Former Merrill Lynch broker James Iannazzo, who was arrested and fired in January after a biased tirade at a Connecticut smoothie shop, has applied under a first-time offender program to have. , 48, purchased a smoothie at Robeks on Black Rock Turnpike on Saturday afternoon and about 30 minutes later, his son suffered an allergic reaction, prompting Iannazzo to call 911. I enjoy helping people anticipate, identify, and achieve meaningful goals by bringing them value that extends beyond ordinary wealth management., Sarah Beam: Texas Teacher Took Son to COVID Test in Trunk, Cops Say [DOCUMENTS], Subject Arrested in Robeks Disorderly Incident https://t.co/75qUbOHe0X, Fairfield Police, CT (@FPDCT) January 23, 2022. If he completes he probation without committing a new crime, the charges will be dismissed, the outlet reported. Gianna Miranda, 18, the employee who was called an immigrant loser, didn't hold back Monday in speaking to FOX61 about James Iannazzo, 48, of Fairfield. According to police, the teen employees said Iannazzo never advised them of a peanut allergy and instead only asked that peanut butter not be used in the smoothie. Iannazzo's lawyer Frank Riccio said in a statement, "He deeply regrets his actions and acted completely out of character. 'Karen's Husband' Loses Job, Apologizes Following . Ny MaGee is an entertainment reporter with over 15 years of experience working in the film industry in areas including production and post-production, marketing, distribution, and acquisitions. Angry racist man attacks a robeks juice employee by throwing a smoothie at her head. After an expletive-ridden outburst, Iannazzo allegedly tossed a beverage at an employee and commented on the immigration status of another worker. He also made statements regarding one of the workers immigration status, leading to the hate crime charge, police said. His son has a life-threatening peanut butter allergy., Riccio, a Bridgeport-based attorney, added, Upon drinking the Robeks smoothie, his son had a severe allergic reaction which required transport via ambulance to the hospital. Watch the moment via the Twitter video below. After the hearing, Riccio expressed his appreciation for the judges decision. Iannazzo also made comments toward an employee referencing their immigration status. While my client regrets his actions, the entire circumstances of this incident including his repeated requests that the beverage not contain any peanuts due to his family members severe allergy, and his inability to obtain any information from the store regarding the contents of the drink, places the matter in a more accurate perspective than has previously been portrayed, he said. He was arrested and charged. He will forever be known as the Fairfield Smoothie Guy, McShane said about the former Merrill Lynch worker, according to the outlet. This individual is no longer employed at our firm.. James Iannazzo, 48, purchased a smoothie at Robeks on Black Rock Turnpike on Saturday afternoon and about 30 minutes later, his son suffered an allergic reaction, prompting Iannazzo to call 911. That said, if this guys apology was self made I think you would still be commenting . (I mean, I guess if hangry is an emotional description of being hungry and angry, then Klangry can be an emotional description for when white peoplewell, you know. Bloomberg Surveillance with Tom Keene, Jonathan Ferro & Lisa Abramowicz live from New York, bringing insight on global markets and the top business stories of the day. James Iannazzo apologized for calling a Robeks Smoothie store employee an "immigrant" and throwing a drink on her after losing his job at Merrill Lynch. But the thing I don't get is that their was no apology from the company or any consequences for the teens who were yelling back not coroperating and one girl you can hear one say she didn't care when the guy mentioned . This is the worst nightmare of every parent whose child has a similar allergy. If convicted for those charges, he could face a sentence of up to six years in prison and. The video shows Iannazzo at the counter of the Robeks drink store in Fairfield and yelling, I want to speak to the person who made this drink. I also wish they had been more careful preparing my sons beverage.. Iannazzo in a statement said, "My actions at Robek's were wrong, and I deeply regret them. 19 replies 10 retweets 663 likes. "My wife gave him another EpiPen while I called 911 again. Iannazzo's name showed up as registered broker with Ageis Capital, suggesting clients tend to forgive or are oblivious in these circumstances, recruiter says. Visit our About page for more. He threw up again, he said. He was also cut loose by Merrill Lynch, which said, "Our. He threw up again. When employees could not provide Iannazzo with the answer he became irate, yelling at the employees using a number of expletives., According to police, He then threw a drink at an employee, which hit their right shoulder. But it gives you absolutely no right to act out like that, she still maintained of the career-ruining slurs and threats. With the rise of remote working options, some employees have found themselves living double lives, working two (or more) full time jobs at once. "He will forever be known as the. I also wish they had been more careful preparing my sons beverage. Iannazzo has since said he would like to personally apologize to the staff that was working that day. Iannazzo, 48, told police he was upset because his son having a severe allergic reaction and he went back to the store as a result, police said. I called 911. According to police, the teen employees said Iannazzo never advised them of a peanut allergy and instead only asked that peanut butter not be used in the smoothie. The . NOT MY VIDEO Cool guy and FORMER Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor, JAMES Iannazzo, throws a tantrum over a smoothie. 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