By Zach Patberg
Queens Supreme Court Justice Anthony Lasak told Nancy Jace at a hearing last week that she was more than a month behind on paying back the remaining $18,000 she owes as part of her plea deal for probation in September, the DA said.The deal, which kept Jace out of prison, was contingent on her handing out payments of around $900 a month to the five men prosecutors said she stole from over a three-year span by convincing them she was their friend who was on the brink of poverty. Promising romance in return, Jace's sob story bilked her vulnerable victims of much of their life savings, including that of an 86-year-old man from Forest Hills, according to the DAIn reality, however, the attractive Romanian immigrant was living the high life with expensive jewelry, a Mercedes, a Jaguar and a stash of $40,000, police discovered. Jace, now 38, was arrested in 2003 and faced up to 15 years in prison on grand larceny and defraud charges, the DA said.Lasak's stern warning that Jace could face five to 15 years if she continues to violate her probation came during a March 2 hearing where the judge denied a motion for early termination of the probation, the DA said. Jace's attorney, Anthony Lombardino, who filed the motion claiming his client has paid her dues by forfeiting much of her assets, did not return calls seeking comment.Despite Jace's repeated manipulation, some of her senior “sweethearts” have remained devoted to her, insisting the good company and the feeling of being her boyfriend was worth their money loss.Edgar Hultman, a 76-year-old retired meteorologist from Fresh Meadows, called the woman who emptied his $40,000 savings account “caring” and “brilliant,” even visiting her while she was in temporary custody at Riker's Island. As Jace was led away in handcuffs in May 2003 outside his apartment, Hultman was quoted as screaming “I love you, I love you,” into the air.Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
