(New Britain, CT) — Christian M. Watson, State’s Attorney for the New Britain Judicial District, announced today that former New Haven Police Chief Karl R. Jacobson has been criminally charged in connection with the reported embezzlement of $85,500 from two City of New Haven funds.
Jacobson turned himself in today on an arrest warrant and was released on a court-set bond of $150,000. He was charged with two counts of Larceny in the First Degree by Defrauding a Public Community, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-122(a)(3). These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The City of New Haven first reported the embezzlement allegations to New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle on January 5, 2026. State’s Attorney Doyle consulted with Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin regarding the initiation of an investigation. On January 6, 2026, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin and Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell Higgins announced that the Connecticut State Police would lead the investigation. To avoid any potential conflicts of interest, State’s Attorney Watson was assigned to oversee the case.
The investigation revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund between January 1, 2024, and January 5, 2026. This fund, which is supported by the City of New Haven’s General Fund, is used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations. The defendant had access to money in that fund. An investigation of bank records showed checks associated with the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund were deposited into the defendant’s personal checking account.
Further investigation showed that two checks totaling $4,000 were embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund between December 23 and December 24, 2025. Both checks were found in the defendant’s personal checking account.
After an extensive review, investigators determined that no other members of the New Haven Police Department were involved or acted as co-conspirators in the misuse of these funds.
State’s Attorney Watson expressed his gratitude to Connecticut State Police Lieutenant Sebastian Wordell for his thorough investigation and to Acting New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli and his staff for their full and transparent cooperation throughout the investigation.
“An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system,” Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said. Further, Chief State’s Attorney Griffin would like to thank the Connecticut State Police and the New Britain Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office for conducting an efficient and timely investigation.