Police Chief's Fall: Gambling Addiction & Larceny

0:00It's April 14th. Welcome to Hartford News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with the story. Carl Jacobson seemed like the perfect police chief for New Haven, Connecticut. He climbed the ranks over 15 years, landing the top job in 2022, right after earning his masters in criminal justice. But he got busted for stealing from a fund meant for drug informants, taking $81,500 between 2024 and early 2026 plus $4,000 from a youth program last December. It all unraveled when deputies noticed the account was empty and found an IOU note. Jacobson hit up a lieutenant for a $500 loan too. In January, he confessed to them in his office. He had a gambling addiction that spiraled out of control, even after beating alcohol issues before. He retired that same day. Folks close to him were shocked, they never saw him gamble. Meanwhile, Connecticut legalized online betting in 2021 and problem gambling calls exploded.

1:01Sinners report more young people, and even successful pros losing everything to apps and ads starring celebs during games. Jacobson started as a cop in Rhode Island, then built a solid life in New Haven with a wife and grown kids. He got appointed chief after a department scandal left a man paralyzed in a van crash, vowing to rebuild trust, which he did, earning praise from the mayor. Now the 56 year old faces two counts of first degree larceny. His lawyer says tons of support poured in from cops, noting how easy online gambling wrecks lives these days. It's a stark reminder that addiction hits anywhere, even the badge.