Teacher at Tampa Prep Arrested for Embezzling $75,000 from Alessi Bakery

The arrest of Rosa Harwell, a math teacher at Tampa Prep, has shocked the Tampa community after it was revealed that she allegedly embezzled nearly $75,000 from her other employer, Alessi Bakery. According to an arrest affidavit filed by the Tampa Police Department, Harwell worked weekend shifts at the bakery in addition to her teaching job. The investigation into Harwell began after the bakery noticed a large amount of cash refunds on days when she worked. Surveillance video revealed that she created fraudulent cash refund transactions to lower the total cash amount expected to be deposited, totaling over $74,000 between 2020 and 2025. Harwell faces 50 counts of false entry into books of business entity and one count of felony grand theft. Tampa Prep has terminated her employment, stating they are “very disappointed” by the allegations. Harwell is currently being held without bond at Hillsborough County Jail. Stay connected with FOX 13 Tampa for updates on this developing story.