A former Jericho Elementary School PTA treasurer has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from the organization and using the money for personal expenses, including hotels, rental cars, restaurants and purchases from major retailers, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Friday.
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Jodi Scarlatos, 44, of Centereach, pleaded guilty Thursday, Oct. 15, to second-degree grand larceny, a class C felony, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
Prosecutors said Scarlatos served as treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School Parent Teacher Association from July 2020 through September 2023. She had access to the organization’s bank account and a debit card intended exclusively for PTA expenses.
The thefts came to light during the 2023-24 school year when new board members took control of the account and discovered unauthorized transactions.
According to court documents and Scarlatos’ admissions during her guilty plea, she used PTA funds for purchases at Best Buy, Ticketmaster, Amazon and Verizon Wireless, as well as hotels, rental cars and restaurants.
Investigators also found that Scarlatos made unauthorized transactions during summer and holiday breaks when school was not in session.
She also withdrew cash from the PTA account and deposited it directly into her personal bank account, prosecutors said.
Scarlatos was arrested April 20, 2026.
“This is the second conviction this year of a PTA officer stealing money meant for the benefit of children,” Tierney said.
As part of her guilty plea, Scarlatos has already repaid a portion of the stolen money and must pay the remaining $32,678.11 in restitution.
Scarlatos entered her plea before District Court Judge James A. McDonaugh and is scheduled to return to court April 13, 2027.
The case was investigated by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Public Corruption Squad and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Tara K. O’Donnell of the Public Corruption Bureau.
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