Rannazzisi had said he had worked in the South Tower of the World Trade Center at Merrill Lynch , on the 54th floor during the September 11 attacks , and described his experience escaping death . He had said the events inspired him to move to Los Angeles and pursue stand-up comedy . In September 2015 , after being contacted by a reporter from '' The New York Times '' for an article debunking his claim , Rannazzisi admitted his story was a lie . Rannazzisi was never employed by Merrill Lynch , which did not have offices in the World Trade Center then , and did not attend the State University of New York at Purchase , as he additionally had claimed
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Stephen Rannazzisi