Merrill Lynch Banker James Ianazzo Fired & Arrested After Racist Rant Recorded In Smoothie Store

A banker at Merrill Lynch was let go after being arrested on Saturday for yelling expletives, racist insults and throwing a drink at an employee at a Robeks store in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The incident was recorded by the employees and uploaded to TikTok.

The man, James Ianazzo, ordered the drink for his son who reportedly has a peanut allergy, but police later confirmed that he did not disclose the allergy to the servers, instead only requesting that peanut butter be kept from the drink.

After having to call paramedics for his child who suffered an allergic reaction due to the mistake, an enraged Ianazzo returned to the store about an hour later to ask who made the drink, and employees began recording him as he got increasingly heated.

Ianazzo is heard swearing the employees out multiple times, requesting to speak to the manager and calling them “f––king stupid, f––king ignorant high school kids.” He is told repeatedly to leave and file a complaint with the Robeks corporate office and is seen throwing a smoothie at one employee who walks towards him, striking her in the shoulder.

As he continues to berate the employees, one begins to call the police, and as he is arguing with another Ianazzo calls her a “f––king immigrant loser,” and also appears to try and push through a door in the back of the store as a pair of employees hold it close.

Ianazzo left the store before the police arrived. He turned himself in later that day and was charged with intimidation based on bias, breach of peace and criminal trespass. His next court appointment is set for February 7, and the combined sentence for his charges is up to six years in jail and a $6,000 fine.

Merrill Lynch also announced that Ianazzo has been terminated following the incident.

The wealth management firm said in a statement: “Our company does not tolerate behavior of this kind. We immediately investigated and have taken action. This individual is no longer employed at our firm.”