Former New Haven Police Chief Arrested for Embezzlement

Jacobson allegedly stole $85,000 from city funds and gambled millions on apps

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Former New Haven police chief Karl Jacobson was arrested on February 20, 2026 after allegedly embezzling $85,000 from the city. An investigation revealed Jacobson had wagered more than $4 million on gambling apps, stolen money from two department programs, and pleaded with his assistant chiefs to help him cover up his crimes.

Why it matters

Jacobson's alleged actions represent a serious breach of public trust, as the police chief is expected to uphold the law and properly manage public funds. This case raises concerns about oversight and accountability within the New Haven Police Department, as well as the broader issue of gambling addiction among public officials.

The details

According to the arrest warrant, Jacobson had been taking money from the department's Narcotic Enforcement Program (NEP) and Police Activity League (PAL) funds, depositing the funds into his personal account, and using them to gamble on apps like DraftKings and FanDuel. The investigation found he had wagered over $4.5 million and lost around $214,000 net. When confronted by his assistant chiefs, Jacobson allegedly pleaded with them to let him replace the money and retire, saying he would lose his pension and go to jail otherwise.

  • In December, a sergeant expressed concerns about Jacobson's behavior to then-assistant chief David Zannelli.
  • On January 3, Zannelli discovered Jacobson had received several $5,000 checks from the NEP fund.
  • On January 5, Jacobson admitted to the assistant chiefs that he had misused the funds due to gambling addiction.
  • On January 23, state police seized bank records revealing Jacobson's alleged theft of $4,000 from the PAL account.
  • On February 20, 2026, Jacobson turned himself in on an active arrest warrant.

The players

Karl Jacobson

The former police chief of New Haven, Connecticut who is accused of embezzling $85,000 from city funds and gambling millions on mobile apps.

David Zannelli

A former assistant police chief in New Haven who confronted Jacobson about the missing funds and recorded their conversation.

Justin Elicker

The mayor of New Haven who commented on Jacobson's arrest, stating that no one is above the law.

Patrick Griffin

The Chief State's Attorney who investigated the case against Jacobson.

Christian Watson

The New Britain State's Attorney who assisted in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Justin Elicker, Mayor of New Haven (wtnh.com)

“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.”

— Jacobson's Lawyer (wtnh.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jacobson out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strong financial controls and oversight within police departments to prevent abuse of public funds. It also raises concerns about the prevalence of gambling addiction among public officials and the need for better support systems to address these issues.