‘It’s on the app’: A New England police chief’s $4.5 million gambling secret
New Haven’s police chief, Karl Jacobson, resigned and was arrested after admitting to embezzling city funds to fuel a $4.5 million online gambling addiction.Summary
New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson abruptly resigned after his deputies discovered discrepancies, including missing funds and a $500 loan taken from a department account intended for informants. Jacobson confessed to a gambling addiction, revealing he had wagered approximately $4.46 million on DraftKings and FanDuel over a year, resulting in a net loss of over $214,000. He was subsequently arrested and charged with larceny for misappropriating over $85,000 from police funds. The case highlights the increasing prevalence and accessibility of online gambling, with experts noting a surge in problem gambling cases since legalization in Connecticut, and the ease with which individuals can fall into addiction due to the constant availability of betting platforms. Jacobson’s downfall shocked the community, as he was previously well-regarded and had focused on rebuilding trust after a controversial incident involving the mistreatment of a paralyzed man during a police transport.
(Source：Boston.com)