A restaurant employee linked to a Fox morning-show host broke down in tears and insisted she was innocent after being accused of stealing nearly $2.5 million from her employer.
Lori Jakubowski, 56, appeared in court Tuesday to face multiple charges over allegations that she took $2,485,779.79 while working at Fresco by Scotto.
The upscale Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan is owned by Rosanna Scotto, the Fox 5 “Good Day New York” anchor, and her family.
Prosecutors allege that Jakubowski diverted the money over seven years to cover her husband’s expenses and help buy a $164,500 house in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 2023.
According to prosecutors, she used unauthorized checks and cash tips from the restaurant to support what they described as a lavish lifestyle while serving as its bookkeeper.
During Tuesday’s hearing in Manhattan, prosecutors told Judge Althea Drysdale that Jakubowski should receive a prison sentence of three to nine years.
Jakubowski appeared stoic while waiting for hours to be called into court, but she began sobbing when approached outside by Our News Outlet.
“I didn’t do anything,” Jakubowski said through tears. “I don’t want to speak right now.”
Lori Jakubowski, 56, faces multiple charges after allegedly taking $2,485,779.79 while working at Fresco by Scotto
Jakubowski allegedly stole from Fresco by Scotto, owned by Fox 5 “Good Day New York” anchor Rosanna Scotto (pictured) and her family, to help fund a $164,500 Pennsylvania home
Prosecutors say Jakubowski diverted money from the restaurant over seven years to pay her husband’s bills and purchase a $164,500 home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 2023 (pictured)
She has pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records.
At her first hearing in December 2025, prosecutors outlined what they said were the methods Jakubowski used to allegedly take the money.
District Attorney Stephen MacArthur said she allegedly paid herself extra money by issuing unauthorized paychecks for vacation time, according to the New York Post.
Prosecutors also allege that Jakubowski laundered at least $100,000 toward the Pennsylvania property and wrote 88 separate checks for payments in 2023.
She was also accused of paying her husband’s Spectrum Internet bill using the restaurant’s bank 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.
Jakubowski, who is out on agreed-upon release, is expected to appear in court on November 10.
She had previously been warned by Judge Drysdale to attend all hearings, according to the 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 Our News Outlet
‘I didn’t do anything,’ Jakubowski told a Daily Mail reporter, with tears streaming down her face. ‘I don’t want to speak right now’
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. Do you understand?’ the judge asked.
Jakubowski said she understood.
Fresco by Scotto opened in 1993, and the Scotto family is often seen advertising the eatery on the anchor’s own program.
Scotto has been working at Fox for over 40 years, having started in 1986.
Our News Outlet has reached out to Scotto and Jakubowski’s attorney for comment.
