Sarma Melngailis, who is also known as the “Bad Vegan” from the Netflix docuseries is open to the idea of opening a new restaurant after she was convicted of stealing millions from her last one — and her ex believes it is a great idea.
Chef Matthew Kenney dated Melngailis back in the early 2000s and they also went into business together. The two opened up Pure Food and Wine. However, their relationship did not last and Matthew ended up getting dropped from their restaurant venture.
That being said, a rep for Matthew tells TMZ that he believes in second chances and wishes Melngailis the best. If opening another restaurant is what she wants, he thinks she should pursue it.
Matthew has not seen the new series yet, despite being featured on it but it is very clear that there is no ill will between the two.
Allegedly, Matthew spoke to her a few years ago and actually wrote a letter in support of her.
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Melngailis and Matthew opened Pure Food and Wine in 2004, but when they split up the next year, they asked investor Jeffrey Chodorow to choose which one to stay on board, and Sarma was picked.
Melngailis first met Anthony Strangis through mutual friend Alec Baldwin in 2011, and then married just a year later. Anthony allegedly promised Sarma immortality for herself and her dog but required large sums of money from her to prove she was worthy.
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Ultimately they were both convicted for stealing nearly $2 million from the restaurant. Restaurant employees protested outside the joint over unpaid wages and the couple promptly went on the run.
The two eventually got caught when police got tipped off after Sarma and Anthony ordered chicken wings and pizza from Domino’s in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Sarma served 4 months at Rikers Island and was released in October 2017 with an additional 5 years of probation. In 2018, she filed for divorce from Anthony shortly after her release.
It should be noted Sarma and the dog are still alive.
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