Former Jericho Elementary School Parent Teacher Association Treasurer Jodi Scarlatos was charged with grand larceny on Wednesday, April 22, for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from the association over three years, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

“Parent Teacher Associations serve a vital function in school communities throughout Suffolk County,” said Suffolk DA Raymond Tierney, whose office is prosecuting the case. “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.”

Scarlatos, 43, of Centereach, served as the PTA treasurer from July 2020 through September 2023, which gave her access to the association’s bank account and use of a debit card for the PTA’s expenses. The district attorney’s office said that after Scarlatos left the position in the 2023-2024 school year, it was found that she had allegedly used PTA funds for personal expenses at restaurants, Amazon, hotels, rental cars, Ticketmaster and more.

She also allegedly made transactions during school session breaks over summer and holidays, which were unauthorized, and withdrew cash from the association’s bank account to then deposit into her personal one, according to the DA’s office.

Efforts to solicit comment from the Jericho Union Free School District were unavailing.

An investigation into the allegations was conducted by the Suffolk County DA’s Public Corruption Squad.

Scarlatos surrendered to the Suffolk DA’s office on April 20 where she was arrested. She was arraigned that same day by District Court Judge Jonathan Bloom on second-degree grand larceny, which she pleaded not guilty to, and was released without bail. Her charges are non-bail eligible under state law, according to the district attorney’s office.

If convicted, Scarlatos faces five to 15 years in prison

She is due back in court on May 6.

Cameryn Oakes is The Long Island Press’ reporter covering the communities of Great Neck, Manhasset and the Town of North Hempstead. Born and raised in California’s capitol, Cameryn now resides in Brooklyn. She began her journalism career with Blank Slate Media in February of 2023, which has since merged with The Long Island Press. Her prior work included a summer internship at The Stockton Record where she covered a national murder trial and as managing editor at her college newspaper, The Mustang News, at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Source: LI Press