Former New Haven police chief faces judge for embezzlement charges
Former New Haven police chief Karl Jacobson appeared before a judge Friday, accused of embezzling more than $85,000 from his own department.
This all unraveled in January when an investigation into missing money led to his retirement. Now he’s facing two counts of larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community.
Jacobson made a very brief appearance today and has not entered a plea yet. He did not answer any questions outside of court today.
“No online gambling, stay out of Connecticut casinos,” said the Judge.
In January, Jacobson allegedly admitted to stealing money from a New Haven Police fund, retired, and later turned himself in to Connecticut State Police.
“For those who would condemn him based on his arrest, I ask you for grace,” said Gregory Cerritelli, Jacobson’s attorney. “Please withhold judgment until you have all the facts.”
Cerritelli said Jacobson has devoted his entire professional career to helping others.
In the arrest warrant, investigators say the bulk of the money was stolen from the confidential informant fund, as well as the New Haven Police Activity League, over the past two years.
In the arrest warrant, Jacobson told investigators he was spending too much money on gambling and that he was seeking help and a loan. He also told investigators he had intended to replace the misused funds. He told investigators that he had a problem and turned to gambling, and didn’t know why it got worse recently.
Jacobson is due back in court on March 19th.
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