Former New Haven police chief arraigned in embezzlement case, ordered not to gamble
Former police chief Karl Jacobson is accused of stealing $85,500 from two city funds to cover his gambling debts. Jacobson stepped down Jan. 5 after he was confronted by the department's assistant chiefs about missing money. State police arrested him Feb. 20.
New Haven's former police chief made his first court appearance now on the other side of the law. Karl Jacobson was arraigned on charges of first-degree larceny by defrauding a public community. He’s accused of stealing $85,000 from two police department funds to pay his gambling debts.
In court, the judge ordered Jacobson not to gamble online or visit any casinos.
Jacobson was arrested Feb. 20 and is currently out on $150,000 bond. He stepped down Jan. 5 after assistant chiefs in the department confronted him about money missing from the Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund, which is supposed to be used to pay confidential informants.
According to his arrest warrant, Jacobson admitted he stole $10,000 from it and pleaded with the assistant chiefs to let him replace the money, fix the logbook and then retire.
"It is not that I'm a bad person. I have a problem. I fixed my alcohol problem. I turned to gambling. I don't know why it just got worse recently," the warrant said Jacobson told them.
When an assistant chief said he had never seen the chief gamble, Jacobson replied that he used the apps. Those include DraftKings and FanDuel.
An ensuing investigation by Connecticut State Police found that last year Jacobson wagered $4.46 million and lost about $214,000. State police also said their investigation showed Jacobson actually misappropriated 8 ½ times the amount of money stated in his confession—$81,500 from the confidential informant fund and $4000 from the Police Activity League Fund.
After court on Friday, his attorney said, whatever this case may be, Jacobson has done a tremendous amount of good for the people of New Haven.
“He has devoted his entire professional career to helping others. And for those who would condemn him based on his arrest, I ask you for grace and please withhold judgment until you have the full understanding of all the facts,” said Greg Cerritelli.
Jacobson returns to court March 19.
