Accused nanny-beater Susan Tabas Tepper to stand trial

Susan Tabas Tepper, the Main Line millionaire accused of attacking her nanny in a rage over unfinished chores last month, waived a hearing on simple assault and harassment charges today and will face trial on Aug. 8 in Montgomery County Court.

The Villanova banking and hotel heiress smiled as she arrived at the District Justice office in Narberth in handcuffs. She is currently in Montgomery County prison, where she has been held since May 23 on charges she violated her probation stemming from a Feb. 26 assault conviction.

Tepper, 44, looked pale and unkempt in a simple black-and-aqua outfit, a far cry from the slimmer, tanner woman who strode into her sentencing hearing this winter in a stylish outfit and high-heeled boots.

Sitting in District Justice Henry J. Schireson's courtroom was Urzsula Kordzior, the Polish housekeeper and nanny who accused Tepper of attacking her on May 20 as she tried to leave her employer's mansion for the night. Tepper maintains she had fired Kordzior and was trying to stop her from stealing her car. Kordzior's 9-year-old daughter, also in the courtroom, was allegedly jostled during the ruckus.

At the start of the today's hearing, assistant district attorney John Gradel said two counts of disorderly conduct had been dropped. If convicted on the assault and harassment charges, both misdemeanors, Tepper faces up to a year in prison.

The mother of four was previously convicted of attacking nanny Xiomara D. Salinas in May, 2006. In addition to a year's probation, she was ordered to perform community service and attend anger-management classes.

Although Tepper posted bail on the current charges, Montgomery County prohibits bail for the probation violation, her lawyer, Marc Steinberg said.

Steinberg said he didn't know when a hearing on that charge would be scheduled.

In the meantime, the woman who counts Donald Trump among her famous friends will remain in jail.

"There's nothing I can do to get her out," Steinberg said.

His client is "exceptionally" concerned about her children, he said. The three oldest are staying with their father, Tepper's ex-husband, Kenneth Tepper. Her 2-year-old son is with his father, Tony Fercos, star of a magic and wild animal act for which Susan Tepper does publicity.

Steinberg said that Tepper had been examined in prison by a forensic psychologist and may undergo a second evaluation. His client's mental health could play a role in her case, he said.

Contact staff writer Kathy Boccella at kboccella@phillynews.com or 610-313-8123.