James Iannazzo, the former Merrill Lynch broker who was fired in January after an incident in a smoothie shop went viral online, has settled a civil lawsuit filed by one of the store’s employees.
Attorneys representing Gianna Marie Miranda, an 18-year-old employee at a Robeks smoothie shop in Fairfield, Connecticut, sued for $300,000 in damages after Iannazzo threw a drink at Miranda and called her a “f---ing immigrant loser.” On Wednesday, Iannazzo agreed to pay $7,500, an amount his attorney, Brian Glicklich, called a “token payment.”
On Jan. 22, a drink ordered at the Robeks location appeared to trigger an allergic reaction in Iannazzo’s son, who had to be taken in an ambulance to the hospital. Iannazzo’s attorneys said that emergency medical responders recommended that he return to the shop to ascertain what was put in the smoothie but that Iannazzo lost his temper when an employee told him they “didn’t know.”
“Mr. Iannazzo will always regret his momentary loss of temper at the time of his son’s medical emergency, and this outcome clearly shows the weakness of the case attempted against him,” Glicklich said in a statement.
The interaction was caught on video and shared widely on social media. Iannazzo turned himself in to police, was arrested and charged with a felony for intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree, as well as two misdemeanors.
In April, Iannazzo was assigned to an accelerated rehabilitation program to sidestep a criminal conviction. After one year of supervision, charges against him will be dismissed.
Iannazzo was also required to donate $500 to the Connecticut Office of Victim Services and ordered not to return to the smoothie shop or make contact with its employees.
BrokerCheck shows Iannazzo began working with Aegis Capital Corp. in March.
Advisors discuss their use of AI now and how it will change going forward
Medicare scam, pandemic benefit theft, offshore tax evasion — federal prosecutors are casting a wide net.
Report finds that pension income acts as a financial lifeline for retirees facing late-life shocks and raises urgent questions about the DC-only future.
Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.
Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.
As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management
Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline
