Former PTA member in Middle Country School District arrested for stealing more than $50K
Jodi Scarlatos, 43, of Centereach, is accused of taking thousands of dollars from Jericho Elementary School PTA over the course of three years.
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A former PTA member at Jericho Elementary School in the Middle Country School District is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the association.
Jodi Scarlatos, 43, of Centereach, took over $50,000 from the Jericho Elementary School Parent Teacher Association over the course of three years, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office says.
According to the investigation, Scarlatos served as treasurer of the PTA from July 2020 through September 2023, during which she had access to the school’s PTA bank account and was issued a debit card for the role.
When control of the account was transferred to new board members in 2023, they discovered she was using the funds for personal expenses, including purchases at restaurants, Best Buy, Ticketmaster, hotels, rental cars and Amazon.
“Parent Teacher Associations serve a vital function in school communities throughout Suffolk County,” DA Ray Tierney said.
“The allegations in this case represent a betrayal of the trust the residents of Centereach placed in this defendant, and my office will continue to hold accountable everyone who unlawfully enriches themselves at the public’s expense,” Tierney continued.
Scarlatos pleaded not guilty to a felony grand larceny charge at her arraignment on Monday and is due back in court on May 5.
She faces up to fifteen years in prison if convicted.
