Hamptons socialite pleads guilty in scam

A Hamptons socialite admitted Tuesday in Suffolk County Court that she continued to live the high life by scamming East End businesses after her partner died and his money ran out.

As a result, Nydia Vega will move from the East End to an upstate prison for the next 2 to 4 years, and she'll arrive there not by limousine but by prison van.

Vega, 64, pleaded guilty -- albeit reluctantly -- to fourth-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and numerous misdemeanor charges of passing bad checks.

For months in 2009, Vega paid for thousands of dollars in goods and services -- limo rides, patio furniture, lingerie, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle -- with bad checks.

"She presents a very personable, warm personality in front of me, but her history belies that," Judge Martin Efman said as he sentenced her. "You can steal with a glove or you can steal with a gun. She steals with a glove."

Her attorney, Susan Ambro of the Legal Aid Society, said Vega lived a legitimately luxurious lifestyle for many years in Westhampton Beach with her partner, until he died of a heart attack. "She continued to live in the lifestyle" that she had lived in, Ambro said in court. "She's very remorseful."

Assistant District Attorney Jodi Franzese recommended a harsher sentence, noting that Vega has a criminal record that dates back to the 1970s in several states with larceny and forgery convictions.

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During the plea, Vega balked during questioning by both Efman and Franzese. When Efman asked if anyone was forcing her to plead guilty, she said, "I feel like you're forcing me a little bit."

She immediately backpedaled, but there was more trouble minutes later when Franzese asked about tires she bought with a bad check for $1,529. "I had bubbles in my tires," she said, raising her voice. "I don't know anything about cars. There were problems with these tires."

But after Efman suggested abandoning the plea deal, she relented and admitted the theft. Efman also ordered her to pay more than $50,000 in restitution.