Meet Sarma Melngailis, one of the subjects from Netflix’s new true-crime show Bad Vegan.
The show explores how a celebrity restauranter became the “vegan fugitive” when she is conned out of millions by a man who convinces her that he can expand her food empire and make her beloved pit bull immortal. However, she can’t question his increasingly unusual requests.
Sarma had reached the height of success as a raw vegan chef and restauranter in the early 2000s. Many celebrities such as Owen Wilson, Bill Clinton, and Alec Baldwin frequented the place along with other crowds joining the vegan raw food restaurant. But, she vanished in 2015.
This show explores the story after she vanishes. Learn about her age, where she is today, and her new husband in this article.
Meet Sarma Melngailis, One Of The Subjects Of Netflix’s Bad Vegan
Sarma Melngailis is one of the subjects of Netflix’s true-crime series Bad Vegan.
Sarma and her ex-husband were accused of not paying staff. She became wanted for fraud and violation of labor law. Eventually, she and her husband were found and arrested at a Tennessee hotel after ordering delivery of Doino’s pizza. At one point, she was labeled “vegan Bernie Madoff”.
However, she has insisted that the pizza was being ordered by Strangis, who pleaded guilty to the plot in March, and whom she divorced.
Sarma had met her ex-husband on Twitter. Then she began draining the restaurant’s money and started funneling it to him.
Upon their arrest, Sarma and her ex-husband were charged with 24 counts of theft, fraud, and tax crimes. They were charged with 15 years in prison and allegedly stole around $2 million from the restaurant. Whereas, they owed $400 thousand to the government.
Their run ended in 2016.
Before the premiere of the show, in February 2022, Sarma announced on her Instagram, “This is a thing. There’s a trailer out now online. Wondering if I can hibernate for the rest of the winter. Or of time. It’s a strange day when ppl keep asking me first how I’m doing, then: “What’s the meat suit??”.
Where Is Sarma Melngailis Today?
Saram Melngailis is free again. According to the Independent, Sarma took the plea deals and was found guilty in May 2017 to grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, and a scheme to defraud. She served four months in Rikers Island and was released in October 2017 with an additional five years of probation.
She was ordered to pay $1 million restitution for admittedly stiffing investors, her employees, and state tax officials.
Sarma blamed all of her criminal woes on her co-defendant husband Anthony Strangis. She told The Post on email, “Why would I destroy what I cared about more than anything else? And hurt others? It doesn’t make any sense. There was a larger purpose behind the brand and business. I’m devastated by what happened.”
According to New York Post, prosecutors had hoped that Sarma would spend 1 to 3 years in prison but Melngailis Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun said “many, many things” factored into the wrist-slap sentence. Danny added, “She was abused by the co-defendant”.
In addition, there were “many many” letters written on her behalf, she admitted her guilt, and this was her first offense, the judge noted.
As of January 2019, Sarma lived in Harlem with her dog Leon, with hopes to get out of the city for a while. “It’s easier to live quietly outside of the city,” Sarma told the New York Post at the time. “If there was some magical opportunity to open the same restaurant in the same place, I would do it in a heartbeat,” she said. “I think New York would take me back.”
In October 2021, she geo-posted ABCV in New York and posed for a photo with a chef from the restaurant.
Sarma came out of the high-profile journey with $6 million of collateral damage and debt.
After watching the show, most viewers were sending words of support to her and asked her to come out from hiding. One viewer wrote, “Don’t hide under covers~ Shine! This is Your moment!”. Another wrote, “You’re resetting your course. You’re not letting people control it anymore. It’s your life, this is just a step forward. You’re gonna be alright. Hang in there.”
What Is Sarma Melngailis Ethnicity?
Sarma Melngailis appears to be of Latvian-American ethnicity. She holds dual citizenship which she proudly flaunted in November 2021. She captioned the IG post, “Back from the gym and in the mail was… my new #Latvian passport. 🇱🇻🎉 #dualcitizenship grateful and happy”.
Her father also came to the Latvian embassy with a loaf of bread for Latvian Independence Day in November 2021.
Does Sarma Melngailis Have A New Husband?
No, Sarma Melngailis doesn’t seem to be in a relationship based on her IG post. And, she is certainly not married to have a new husband.
How Much Is Sarma Melngailis Net Worth?
Sarma Melngailis had a net worth above $1 million.
Sarma reportedly worked at a couple of investment firms before enrolling in the culinary school. She held degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. She also attended Wharton School. Saram graduated from the International Culinary Center, then known as the French Culinary Institute.
Related FAQs
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Is Sarma Melngailis On Facebook And Instagram?
Yes, Saram Melngailis is on Instagram (@sarmamelngailis). She is also on Facebook.
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How Tall Is Sarma Melngailis?
What’s more, Sarma Melngailis seems to stand tall under the height of 5 feet 6 inches.
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Where Does Sarma Melngailis Reside?
The current residence of Sarma Melngailis is unknown. She could still be in New York.
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Did Sarma Melngailis date Alec Baldwin?
No, Sarma Melngailis and Alec Baldwin never dated each other.
Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin was a regular and a fan of Pure Food and Wine. He would post about the restaurant online. He once wrote on her Facebook, “When in New York, folks, go to Pure Food and Wine even if just to stare at Sarma.” They met at the restaurant and would talk a lot on the phone and by email.
Saram once said, “Sometimes when you meet somebody, you feel like you already know them. It felt like that with him.” Alec had a crush on Sarma but she was in a relationship at the time. She and her boyfriend broke up leaving her heartbroken.
Sarma confirmed regretting “not going further with Alec”. Alec met his wife Hilaria at Pure Food and Wine.
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