Wealth Manager Throws Drink at Employees After Son Gets Allergic Reaction
How Did a Peanut Allergy Trigger This Controversial Incident?
James Iannazzo, a former Merrill Lynch wealth manager, became the center of controversy after a viral altercation at a Robeks smoothie shop in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The incident, which occurred on January 22, 2022, involved Iannazzo throwing a drink at employees and using offensive and racist language. He was arrested and faced charges of second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, second-degree breach of peace, and first-degree criminal trespass, according to a statement by Fairfield Police. A video capturing the incident, recorded by the employees, has garnered millions of views online.
According to police, Iannazzo, 48, stated he was frustrated because his son experienced a severe allergic reaction after consuming a smoothie from the store. However, employees reported that Iannazzo had not explicitly mentioned his son’s peanut allergy when placing the order, only requesting that peanut butter be excluded. Police confirmed that officers were called to Iannazzo’s residence around 1:39 p.m. due to a juvenile experiencing an allergic reaction, requiring hospital transport. Following this, Iannazzo returned to the Robeks store, where he shouted at staff, threw objects, and refused to leave. He also made derogatory remarks about an employee’s immigration status, leading to hate crime charges.
His attorney, Frank Riccio II, issued a statement saying, “Mr. Iannazzo deeply regrets his actions at the Robeks in Fairfield on January 22, 2022. He emphasized to staff that his order should not contain peanuts, as reflected in the receipt. Unfortunately, his son suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after consuming the smoothie.”
Riccio further explained, “Acting out of fear and anger due to his son’s condition, Mr. Iannazzo’s emotional response was extreme. However, he is not a racist and profoundly regrets his words and actions during such a stressful moment.”
A spokesperson for Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, Bill Halldin, commented, “Such behavior is unacceptable. After an immediate investigation, this individual is no longer employed with our company.”
Fairfield Police stated they received reports around 2:26 p.m. about a disruptive customer at the Robeks location on 2061 Black Rock Turnpike. Employees reported that Iannazzo became aggressive, yelling and demanding to know who made the drink that allegedly triggered his son’s allergic reaction. When employees were unable to provide an answer, he began throwing objects, including a smoothie that struck an employee, and used multiple expletives. Police noted that the employee reported no physical injuries from the incident.
Authorities said Iannazzo attempted to enter a restricted “Employees Only” area but was blocked by staff. He left the premises before police arrived but later turned himself in after being identified. Social media played a pivotal role in the investigation, with TikTok user That DaneshGuy exposing Iannazzo’s identity as a Merrill Lynch managing director. The initial video, uploaded by a 17-year-old employee, @cjjbreezy, has been viewed over 15 million times.
That DaneshGuy’s TikTok video, which highlights public misconduct, further amplified the incident with over 3 million views. In his video, he identified Iannazzo, stating, “This is James Iannazzo of Merrill Lynch behaving inappropriately and assaulting a minor.”
In a follow-up video, one of the employees confirmed they were unharmed and revealed Iannazzo had been arrested. However, they stated that authorities did not classify the incident as assault since no injuries occurred. The employee added, “I will press charges, but I’m okay.”
Understanding Peanut Allergies
Peanut allergies are managed primarily by avoiding peanut-containing products. Researchers are exploring treatments to reduce the risk of severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy trains the immune system to tolerate certain allergens. Known as desensitization, it involves gradually increasing exposure to peanut proteins. While it cannot replace emergency treatments, it may reduce the severity of reactions. The FDA-approved treatment Palforzia is designed for children aged 4 to 17 with confirmed peanut allergies.
Antibody Treatments
Antibody-based therapies like omalizumab (Xolair) target specific immune system proteins responsible for allergic reactions. These injections can lower sensitivity to peanut allergens, providing an additional layer of protection against severe responses.
