Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Smoothie-Throwing Advisor Suspended By CFP Board

Posted on February 15th, 2022 at 1:21 PM
Smoothie-Throwing Advisor Suspended By CFP Board

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

A former Merrill Lynch advisor has been suspended by the CFP Board after he was arrested for threatening employees and using racial slurs at a smoothie shop in Connecticut.

The former Merrill advisor, James Iannazzo, was arrested after the incident on January 22 at a smoothie shop in Fairfield, Connecticut. Iannazzo allegedly returned to the store after purchasing a smoothie and began yelling at employees, according to Fairfield police. Iannazzo eventually threw his smoothie at one of the employees. Iannazzo additionally cursed at employees and called one a “(expletive) immigrant loser”, according to a video recording of the incident. Iannazzo was angry because the smoothie he bought allegedly contained peanut butter and Iannazzo’s son purportedly is allergic to peanut butter, according to Fairfield police. 

After the video began to spread on social media, Merrill Lynch announced that it immediately had investigated and subsequently terminated Iannazzo’s employment. Additionally, the CFP Board Counsel moved to file a Motion for Interim Suspension against Iannazzo, which was approved by a hearing panel. In essence, Iannazzo’s will serve his suspension until the Board finalizes its investigation and conducts other disciplinary proceedings. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters, including CFP Board and CFA Institute matters. 

 
 
 
 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, merrill lynch

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I have the best legal firm in the country to defend me. Awesome job!

Cindy C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1784303575 Law
July 17, 2026
FINRA Arbitrators Award $2.25 Million Over Life Insurance Strategy

A former financial advisor must pay $2.25 million to clients who alleged he recommended a high-risk life insurance strategy that resulted in significant losses, according to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration award.

1784228879 Law
July 16, 2026
Delaware Judge Dismisses United Capital's Poaching Lawsuit Against Osaic With Leave to Amend

A Delaware judge has dismissed United Capital's lawsuit accusing Osaic of improperly recruiting financial advisors and soliciting client assets, but allowed the wealth management firm to file an amended complaint, according to AdvisorHub.

1784134373 Law
July 15, 2026
LPL Financial Faces Class Action Over Phoenix Annuity Disclosures

LPL Financial faces a proposed class action lawsuit alleging that the firm failed to warn annuity investors about the declining financial condition of Phoenix PHL Variable Insurance Company.