Long Island PTA Treasurer Arrested for Alleged Embezzlement
A mother involved with a Long Island PTA has been arrested on charges of stealing over $50,000 from an elementary school while simultaneously working as a police officer in New York City, authorities reported on Wednesday.
Jody Skarlatos, 43, a resident of Center Reach, held the role of treasurer for the Jericho Elementary School PTA during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s alleged that she began misusing association funds for personal expenses and outings, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Reports indicate that Skarlatos was arrested after control of the PTA bank account switched to a new board in 2023, which then brought irregularities to light.
In a troubling side note, a lawsuit filed in Suffolk County Supreme Court states that Skarlatos had incurred significant debts, totaling over $375,000, and had begun missing mortgage payments in July 2022, which led to foreclosure proceedings.
“Parent-Teacher Associations play a critical role in school communities throughout Suffolk County,” stated District Attorney Raymond Tierney. He added that the allegations reflect a serious breach of trust from the community. His office plans to hold accountable those who illegally benefit at the public’s expense.
Skarlatos, who previously worked as a traffic officer, retired from the NYPD in January 2025. As treasurer, she was issued a debit card meant strictly for PTA expenses. However, authorities say she diverted those funds for personal use—spending on restaurants, hotels, rental cars, and major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Furthermore, investigators claim that she moved cash from the PTA safe into her personal bank account and continued these transactions during school breaks and vacations.
A lawsuit for foreclosure, filed by the National Association of Bank Trustees, indicates that financial issues had increased dramatically just prior to Skarlatos’ exit from her position in September 2023. Interestingly, before she left, she took to her Facebook page to promote a fundraising effort for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, hoping to engage others in the fight against childhood cancer.
Ultimately, Skarlatos turned herself in at the district attorney’s office on Monday and was arraigned. She faces a charge of second-degree grand larceny, a Class C felony, with potential sentences ranging from five to 15 years in prison if convicted. Currently, she has been released without bail and is set to appear in court again on May 5, 2026.
The Jericho Elementary School PTA and the NYPD have been contacted for more details regarding this troubling case.
