Schoharie County Woman Sentenced for $200,000 Fraud

Sarah Blood, 44, of Richmondville, New York, was sentenced on September 29, 2026 by United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to 5 years' probation, including 8 months' home detention, for stealing over $200,000 from the State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, Inc. (SARL) between 2020 and 2023. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

Blood served as the executive director of SARL from August 2019 to October 2023. SARL is a not-for-profit organization managed by state and local legislators for the purpose of promoting cooperation and education among agricultural and rural communities. SARL received funding from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The defendant was responsible for managing SARL's finances and had access to SARL's checking account.

Between July 2020 and August 2023, Blood stole $203,941.54 from SARL by transferring money from SARL's bank account to herself or by using SARL's debit card on unauthorized transactions. Blood used SARL funds to book a luxury cruise, pay for flights and hotels, and make personal purchases at Amazon and Walmart. Because of Blood's theft, SARL had to cancel its 2024 annual conference and engage in emergency fundraising.

Blood previously pled guilty to embezzling funds from SARL in April 2026.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: "This case has been under investigation by this Office for three years, and we are glad it has been brought to a successful conclusion. Sarah Blood was in a position of trust at an organization that received federal funds. She abused that trust and will now have to repay the money stolen in full."

"Sarah Blood was entrusted to run State Agricultural and Rural Leaders, Inc. (SARL)," said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albany Field Office. "Instead, she used that position to blatantly steal over $200,000 - even going so far as to book vacations on the organization's debit card. The FBI will not turn a blind eye to this kind of fraud. We will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure those committing fraud are held accountable for their actions."

In addition to serving a term of home detention and being placed on probation, Blood is required to make restitution to SARL in the amount of $203,941.54.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Paulbeck and Nicholas Walter prosecuted the case.