Federal agents raid Oakmont vitamin store

OAKMONT, Pa. — Wednesday in Oakmont, federal agents raided a vitamin store accused of changing ingredients and misbranding supplements.

Authorities said members of the Internal Revenue Service and Food and Drug Administration raided ATF Fitness Products on Pennsylvania Avenue around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Officials seized file cabinets and computers from the store, which manufactures dietary supplements, some sold under the brand name Sci-Fit.

James Vercellotti, the store's owner, was ordered by the FDA to stop producing and selling the products last November. He was accused of changing ingredients, misbranding supplements and failing to report serious side effects.

According to the FDA, a customer had a spike in blood pressure and suffered a mild heart attack due to one product from the store.

Channel 11's Jodine Costanzo tried to talk with Vercellotti Wednesday at his Gibsonia house, but his wife said he wasn't home and that she had no comment.

Melody Collins, who used to work at the store as an accountant, said she heard the raid from across the street.

"There was a loud bang. I heard someone banging and then someone yelling," Collins said. "The owner is a really great guy. I think the whole situation just got completely out of control and started spiraling down from there."

Collins said she lost her job at the store when Vercellotti was ordered to cease operations.

Authorities have not said what charges will be filed as a result of the investigation.

WPXI