Sarma Melngailis, once renowned as the “Raw Food Queen,” saw her life take a tumultuous turn, transitioning from a successful vegan restaurateur to a criminal fugitive. She, along with her then-husband Anthony Strangis, embezzled millions from Pure Food And Wine and the One Lucky Duck franchise, leading to the collapse of her business, reputation, and eventually her freedom.
After being on the run for nearly a year, Melngailis and Strangis were apprehended in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where they were discovered due to ordering a pizza. Melngailis pled guilty to charges including grand larceny, criminal tax fraud, and a scheme to defraud, receiving a four-month prison sentence. The Netflix documentary Bad Vegan delves into her story, where she claimed to have been manipulated by Strangis into stealing money.
A surprising chapter in Melngailis’ saga emerged when it was revealed that she engaged in a romantic relationship with her defense attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman. Their involvement was exposed through explicit text messages just days before she returned to court to accept a plea deal. This revelation stirred controversy, with many in the legal community considering Lichtman’s actions as, at minimum, unprofessional and, at maximum, unethical.
As of now, Sarma Melngailis appears unfazed by the publicity surrounding the affair. She is subletting her New York apartment and reportedly living outside the city while working on her memoir. On Instagram, she expresses a desire to help people and animals and mentions her yearning to reclaim her power. Melngailis envisions returning to action in the city and harbors hope of reopening Pure Food and Wine, stating that if given the opportunity, she would do it in a heartbeat.
From fame to fraud, and from professional success to private scandals, Sarma Melngailis continues to surprise observers. With a new memoir in the works and a fresh round of tabloid attention, her future actions remain uncertain. Whether there’s a chance of reopening Pure Food and Wine or if it’s another facet of the fantasy world she and Anthony Strangis created, only time will reveal.
