Jeffrey Menge, 45, of Copperopolis, and Eric Drabert, 46, of Modesto, were sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 30 months and 18 months in prison, respectively for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
“These defendants were entrusted with safeguarding resources meant to educate and support children; instead, they stole $1.5 million for their own benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Today’s sentencing affirms that when those in positions of authority abuse the public trust, they will be held accountable. Our office remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that funds intended for our schools serve the students and communities they were meant to support.”
“Jeffrey Menge and Eric Drabert betrayed the students, families, and taxpayers of Patterson by exploiting their positions of trust to steal from a school district. Rather than investing those funds in the children they were hired to serve, they lined their pockets with the money they stole,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “We are grateful to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnership in bringing Menge and Drabert to justice.”
