Centereach PTA treasurer took over $50K from school group, DA says

A Centereach mother who served as treasurer of the Jericho Elementary School PTA siphoned more than $50,000 in PTA funds over a three-year span, Suffolk County prosecutors said.

Jodi Scarlatos, 43, is accused of spending the cash on personal expenses that included restaurants, hotels, shopping and travel, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

Scarlatos pleaded not guilty to second-degree grand larceny, a felony charge, at her arraignment earlier this week in Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip.

Authorities said she misused her access to the PTA’s bank account and debit card between July 2020 and September 2023 while serving as the group’s treasurer.

Tierney said Scarlatos used the PTA account for to make purchases at Best Buy, Ticketmaster, Amazon, Verizon Wireless, hotels and rental car companies. She’s also accused of making cash withdrawals from the PTA account and depositing the funds into her personal bank account.

The alleged scheme came to light during the 2023–2024 school year, when new PTA board members took over financial control and identified questionable transactions tied to the account, Tierney explained.

“Parent Teacher Associations serve a vital function in school communities throughout Suffolk County,” Tierney said.

“The allegations in this case represent a betrayal of the trust the residents of Centereach placed in this defendant.”

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