Sarma Melngailis was at the midst of brand new Netflix crime documentary “Crappy Veggie: Glory. Con. Fugitives.” Melngailis’s story is one filled up with twists and you will turns and you will unbelievable says. She once was near the top of the brand new York restaurants scene, having famous people instance Alec Baldwin and you will Woody Harrelson just a few of the woman repeated users. Shortly after not paying their group and you may age crashing down, just like the she fast turned into recognized for this lady character inside a deceptive scandal one to shook New york in addition to veggie business.
The previous manager of the latest York’s important intense vegetarian restaurant Pure Food and Drink is disgraced into the 2015 following closing away from the lady cafe and extra in 2016 when she try arrested to your matters from second-studies grand larceny, second-education criminal tax ripoff, first-training program to help you defraud, violation regarding labor legislation, and you may associated matters. In 2017, Melngailis accepted an effective plea deal and you can are eventually sentenced to help you four weeks within the prison and you may five years probation, Forbes advertised. New disgraced veggie restaurateur’s lifestyle provides notably altered once the losings regarding the woman team and you can then arrest, however, in which is she today? This is what to learn about where “Bad Vegetarian”is the reason Melngailis is now.
Who’s Sarma Melngailis?
Melngailis failed to rating the lady start in the food globe up until their late 20s. She to begin with had a close look getting team (foreshadowing, much?) and you can finished regarding School of Pennsylvania during the 1994 which have a great bachelor’s education within the business economics. Pursuing the the girl graduation, Melngailis proceeded to function many jobs you to definitely 
dependent into the team, plus financing banking and investment finance, according to their webpages.
The lady need for finance failed to history, and you will she visited the latest Cooking Institute from The usa, graduating in 1999 that have hopes of cracking with the restaurants globe. In 2004, she open Pure food and you may Drink together with her after that-sweetheart and you will chef, Matthew Kenney. For the next e certainly one of The brand new York’s most popular eating, constantly applauded from the important books such as for example New york Mag and you will Forbes. By the 2015, although not, brand new tide had completely changed.
Just how Performed Sarma Melngailis Rating Stuck?
In 2011, Melngailis fulfilled Anthony Strangis as a result of Twitter, additionally the two . Depending on the Ny Blog post, Melngailis hired Strangis given that a manager in 2013, hence quickly changed everything. A column prepare helping Melngailis at the time noted, “[Melngailis] perform carry on much more trips. [She] of course turned more evasive, quicker worried about the latest really-are of team.”
The unlikely romantic commitment and you may team partnership baffled members of the family, loved ones, and you may team of Melngailis, however, there is certainly a conclusion about they. Considering Vanity Reasonable, Strangis “are encouraging to provide the woman enough currency to be independent of meddling people, help somebody she need, and you can pay their expense.” Strangis decrease as a result of into his many claims, in addition to one to the guy designed to create Melngailis’s pit bull terrier immortal. Rather, with her, it took $dos million on the cafe because of the failing to pay experts and you will lying so you’re able to people. This new duo presumably utilized the cash on casino vacation and pricey luxuries, like lodging and watches.
Immediately following a great workers’ strike from the Pure food and you will Wines teams into the 2015, their cash-and come up with scheme reach crumble. Into pressure of obtaining to spend one another staff and dealers, Melngailis and Strangis continued the new manage, trying to end extradition due to their crimes up until a great Domino’s pizza pie purchase tipped off of the police.
Where Is Sarma Melngailis Today?
Immediately after offering five weeks on The fresh York’s well known Rikers Island prison, she registered for separation from Strangis in the 2018. Predicated on the lady web site, she already resides in Harlem together with her help save puppy, Leon. Melngailis and additionally seems to be focusing on good podcast, for every a review of this lady Instagram web page, and will can be found in “Bad Vegetarian.” On the back once again to brand new bistro business, she stays hopeful but practical, advising the fresh new York Article from inside the 2019, “If the there was particular magical possibility to open a comparable restaurant in the same set, I would personally do so inside the a heartbeat. In my opinion New york perform need me personally straight back.”