Randi Smith and her son, Dakota, both pleaded guilty this week for their involvement in an embezzlement scheme, stealing from the New York State Weatherization Directors Association.

Founded in 1985, the association provides a collective voice and influences public policy for directors of the Weatherization Assistance Program across the state; it also offers training and acts as an advocate for low-income and handicapped residents, according to its mission statement.

Randi Smith, 53, of Amsterdam, pleaded guilty on Sept. 24 to second-degree grand larceny, a felony. Dakota Smith, 23, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded guilty to the same charge on Sept. 26. Both pleaded before Judge Peter A. Lynch in Albany County Court.

Between June 14, 2011 and May 4, 2018, Randi Smith, who was then the chief fiscal officer of the Weatherization Directors Association, wrote checks to herself and to cash using the association’s business checking account, totaling about $801,000, according to a release from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office; to cover up the checks, Smith created fake invoices and made them a part of the agency’s business records.

Additionally, between Nov. 8, 2017 and May 1, 2018, Dakota Smith wrote checks to himself and his construction business, Adirondack Concrete Cutting, and to his father’s business, using the Weatherization Directors Association’s business checking account, totaling about $353,200, the release said; when his bank inquired about the unusual deposit activity, he provided a forged contract between his construction company and the agency to justify the funds.

The Smiths were arrested on May 8 by the New York State Police, each charged with second-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, both felonies.

Randi Smith was arrested at her office, at 2 Charles Blvd. in Guilderland, while Dakota Smith, was arrested at the counter area of the Albany International Airport, according to Mark Cepiel, a State Police spokesman at the time.

Ciepel said at the time of the arrest that information had been developed that the younger Smith was about to board a flight to California. The state police had learned, Cepiel said, that “tickets had been purchased.”

The state police had its Financial Crimes Unit “take a look at things, to verify what the bank had discovered,” Cepiel said.

Randi Smith faces three to nine years in state prison when sentenced on Nov. 19, and will have to pay restitution of $801,000.

Dakota Smith faces two to six years in state prison when sentenced on Nov. 20 and will have to pay restitution of $353,200.

Assistant District Attorney Linda Griggs of the Financial Crimes Unit is handling the prosecution of this case.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer