Former New Haven police chief arrested and charged with embezzling funds
Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson was arrested on Friday morning and is accused of embezzling over $85,000 from public funds, the New Britain state’s attorney said.
The state opened an investigation into Jacobson last month after he allegedly admitted to stealing money from a fund used by the New Haven Police Department to pay and support confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations.
The City of New Haven announced Thursday that it will soon resume the program, which had been put on hold when Jacobson said he stole $10,000 from it. The investigation into Jacobson later revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the program between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5 of this year.
In addition to that, two checks totaling $4,000 were embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund between Dec. 23 and Dec. 24, 2025. Both checks were found in Jacobson’s personal checking account. This fund helps “children become better versions of themselves,” according to the police department’s website.
Jacobson said he was spending too much money on gambling, for which he was seeking help and a loan, according to an arrest warrant. He also said that he intended to replace the misused funds.
The warrant stated that Jacobson returned the money and called the league’s executive director, saying: “he was sorry for letting the police department down, letting him down, and letting PAL down.”
When Acting Chief David Zannelli asked how long Jacobson had been spending too much on gambling, Jacobson said, “It had gotten worse over the past couple of months,” the arrest warrant stated.
He said in part: “…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.”
Jacobson used gambling apps on his phone, according to the warrant.
He turned himself in to the Connecticut State Police at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and is charged with two counts of larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, according to the state’s attorney.
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New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said in a statement:
It’s a sad day for the City of New Haven. Former Police Chief Jacobson was someone whom many in our city deeply respected and who dedicated his life to helping keep our community safe.
However, no one is above the law and that includes the chief of police. The theft and misuse of taxpayer funds was not only a crime, but also a breach of public trust for which former Chief Jacobson must be held accountable.
With the new policies and protocols that we have now put in place, our residents and officers can be confident that funds allocated for the police department’s Confidential Informant program will be properly safeguarded and properly used to investigate and solve crimes and to identify criminals and bring them to justice.
I want to thank the Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, New Britain State’s Attorney Christian Watson, DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins and the Connecticut State Police for their investigation into this matter and working to ensure that former Chief Jacobson is held accountable for his actions.
No other New Haven Police employees were in Jacobson’s actions, the state’s attorney said.
Jacobson’s bond is set at $150,000. His next court date is March 6 in New Haven.
“The theft and misuse of taxpayer funds was not only a crime, but also a breach of public trust for which former Chief Jacobson must be held accountable,” Elicker said.
Leonard Jahad works with kids and teens through his organization, Connecticut Violence Intervention Program. He also worked with Jacobson over the years.
Jacobson’s attorney, Gregory Cerritelli said in a statement:
I have yet to receive any discovery from the state so I cannot respond to the specific allegations, but I will remind everyone that an arrest is not evidence of guilt and allegations are not proof. This is the beginning of a very long process. I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment.
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