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A South Brunswick police officer has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $75,000 from his Police Benevolent Association (PBA).
Patrolman First Class Abraham “Jason” Gassman, 53, a 19-year department veteran, was charged with official misconduct and theft by deception, both second-degree crimes, hindering apprehension, official misconduct and theft by deception, all third-degree crimes, falsifying records, a fourth-degree crime, and shoplifting, a disorderly persons offense, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced July 16.
Gassman turned himself in on July 16 and was lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending future proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court, the prosecutor’s office said.
During those proceedings the prosecutor’s office intends to ask that Gassman be barred from contact with his former PBA chapter executive board and ordered to surrender his firearms and submit to monthly reporting as the case proceeds.
According to the prosecutor’s office, an investigation led by the members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit revealed that earlier this year Gassman allegedly shoplifted bedding items worth about $100 from an Ocean Township department store, and left the scene in his South Brunswick police vehicle.
The investigation also revealed that Gassman had served as his local PBA chapter’s treasurer since 2009 and had exclusive control over the union’s finances and had stolen more than $75,000 from the PBA in different ways over the last six years, including using the PBA credit card to make personal purchases and steal cash proceeds from PBA charity fundraisers and other events, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The personal purchases included home improvement items such as patio furniture, storage containers, vacuums, propane gas, a leaf blower, televisions, a home gym kit, microwave, luggage, and food, the prosecutor’s office said.
The investigation found Gassman allegedly used the PBA credit card to purchase lodging, parking, gas and food for himself and another officer on a business trip and then submitted a purchase order to be reimbursed by the police department.
Gassman also allegedly submitted documents to the PBA accountant falsely indicating he had paid back personal purchases, and also changed the password to the PBA’s credit card when questioned by the PBA’s leadership, effectively locking them out.
“We sincerely thank the South Brunswick Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Raymond J. Hayducka, as well as South Brunswick PBA Local No. 166, under the leadership of Chapter President Gerald Sarno, for the resoluteness with which they approached this matter and their consistently helpful cooperation during the course of our investigation,” Santiago said.
Hayducka said Gassman was suspended without pay shortly after he learned of the accusations and because it appears Gassman has not lived up to the department’s CORE values of integrity, respect and professionalism.
“The standard for suspending a police officer without pay in New Jersey is a high bar to achieve and I did not make this decision without a careful review of the facts and circumstances, which led me to conclude that the immediate suspension was necessary to maintain safety, health and order of effective police services,” Hayducka said.
“The accusations and arrest of Mr. Gassman is extremely disappointing to me and all members of the agency. The accusations against him do not reflect the character and practices of the hardworking men and woman of the South Brunswick Police Department that do serve honorably each and every day and live up to our agency CORE Values. I am extremely proud of the officers that came forward and reported the alleged misconduct by Mr. Gassman,” Hayducka said.
The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco director of the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit. Gassman is represented by attorney Mitchell Ansell.
Anyone with information about Gassman’s activities is asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Dylan Lovgren at 800-533-7433.
Email: [email protected]
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today