Former New Haven police Chief Karl Jacobson has been arrested by Connecticut State Police and accused of stealing funds from his former department.
Karl Jacobson was charged Friday in connection with accusations that he admitted to stealing funds from a program used to pay confidential informants, according Connecticut State Police. He faces two counts of first-degree larceny.
“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,” Jacobson’s attorney, Gregory Cerritelli, said in a statement. “This is the beginning of a very long process. I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment.”
In January, Mayor Justin Elicker said Jacobson abruptly filed his retirement paperwork after irregularities were discovered in the confidential informant program funds. According Elicker, Jacobson was confronted about the irregularities by three assistant chiefs and he admitted to stealing the funds.
Elicker said he had summoned Jacobson to his office so he could put him on administrative leave, but he filed his retirement paperwork before they could meet. His retirement took effect immediately, Elicker said.
Assistant Police Chief David Zannelli has been appointed as acting chief. Jacobson was sworn in as police chief in July 2022. His four-year contract was set to expire this year.