Lori Jakubowski, 56, a bookkeeper at Fresco by Scotto, an upscale Manhattan restaurant owned by Fox News anchor Rosanna Scotto, was accused of stealing $2.485 million over seven years. Prosecutors claim she used the money to buy a home in Pennsylvania and cover personal expenses. At her court hearing on Tuesday, Jakubowski broke down crying when questioned, insisting she is innocent despite facing charges including grand larceny and falsifying business records.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
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Story summary
Lori Jakubowski, a 56-year-old bookkeeper at Fresco by Scotto — an upscale Italian restaurant owned by Fox 5's "Good Day New York" anchor Rosanna Scotto in Midtown Manhattan — was accused of stealing nearly $2.5 million from the establishment over seven years. Prosecutors claim Jakubowski used stolen funds to cover her husband’s bills and buy a new home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, valued at $164,500. During a court hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors suggested that Jakubowski serve between three to nine years in prison if found guilty. When approached outside the courtroom by reporters, Jakubowski broke down in tears and pleaded her innocence, stating, "I didn't do anything." The case highlights conflicts of interest and allegations of large-scale financial misconduct within a prominent New York City restaurant chain.
Written for “Restaurant Theft Trial” on 2026-09-17,
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A worker at a restaurant owned by a Fox morning show host sobbed and pleaded her innocence after being accused of stealing nearly $2.5 million from her employer.
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worker → see → employer
Lori Jakubowski, 56, walked into court on Tuesday facing several charges after she was accused of making off with $2.485 million while working at Fresco by Scotto.
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she → walk → Scotto
The ritzy Italian restaurant, located in Midtown Manhattan, is owned by Fox 5's 'Good Day New York' anchor Rosanna Scotto and her family.
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restaurant → locate → Scotto
Prosecutors alleged that Jakubowski funneled the money over seven years from the eatery to pay her husband's bills and purchase a $164,500 home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 2023.
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Jakubowski → allege → 2023
She wrote checks and pocketed cash tips to fund her new, lavish lifestyle, while working as the restaurant's bookkeeper, prosecutors say.
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prosecutors → write → bookkeeper
At her hearing in Manhattan on Tuesday, prosecutors suggested to Judge Althea Drysdale that the bookkeeper serve three to nine years in prison.
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bookkeeper → suggest → prison
Jakubowski, who appeared stoic as she waited for hours to be called, immediately broke down in tears when approached outside the courtroom by the Daily Mail.
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she → appear → Mail
'I didn't do anything,' Jakubowski said, with tears streaming down her face.
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Jakubowski → do → face
'I don't want to speak right now.'
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I → want → ?
Lori Jakubowski, 56, faces several charges after she was accused of making off with $2,485,779.79 while working at Fresco by Scotto
Jakubowski allegedly stole from Fresco by Scotto, the restaurant owned by Fox 5's 'Good Day New York' anchor Rosanna Scotto (Pictured) and her family, to pay for $164,500 home in Pennsylvania
Prosecutors alleged that Jakubowski funneled the money over seven years from the eatery to pay her husband's bills and purchase a $164,500 home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 2023 (pictured)
She previously pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records.
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She → face → records
However, prosecutors detailed the alleged lengths to which Jakubowski would go to steal during her first hearing in December 2025.
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Jakubowski → detail → December
District Attorney Stephen MacArthur said the bookkeeper overpaid herself 'by issuing unauthorized paychecks allegedly for vacation time,' according to the New York Post.
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bookkeeper → say → Post
Prosecutors claimed that Jakubowski laundered at least $100,000 to purchase her Pennsylvania home and wrote 88 individual checks to make payments in 2023.
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Jakubowski → claim → 2023
She was also accused of paying her husband's Spectrum Internet bill using the restaurant's bank account.
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She → accuse → account
The bookkeeper was indicted on one count of grand larceny in the first degree, one count of money laundering in the second degree and two counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
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bookkeeper → indict → degree
Jakubowski, who is out on agreed-upon release, is expected to appear in court on November 10.
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who → agree → November
She had previously been warned by Judge Drysdale to attend all hearings, according to the Post.
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She → warn → Post
Jakubowski appeared stoic as prosecutors urged that she spend nearly a decade behind bars
The ritzy Italian restaurant, located in Midtown Manhattan, is owned by Fox 5's 'Good Day New York' anchor Rosanna Scotto and her family
She immediately broke down in tears when approached outside the courtroom by the Daily Mail
'I didn't do anything,' Jakubowski told a Daily Mail reporter, with tears streaming down her face.
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tears → appear → face
'I don't want to speak right now'
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I → want → ?
Fresco by Scotto, located at 34 East 52nd Street, is owned by the Fox anchor and her children, Jenn and LJ Ruggiero
'As much as you have that other abode in Pennsylvania, you must come to court when I tell you to come to court.
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I → locate → court
Do you understand?' the judge asked.
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judge → understand → ?
Jakubowski said she understood.
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she → say → ?
Fresco by Scotto opened in 1993, and the Scotto family is often seen advertising the eatery on the anchor's own program.
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family → open → program
Scotto has been working at Fox for over 40 years, having started in 1986.
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Scotto → work → 1986
The Daily Mail has reached out to Scotto and Jakubowski's attorney for comment.
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Mail → reach → comment
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