By: Richard L. Smith
A South Brunswick police officer is facing multiple criminal charges after investigators uncovered that he allegedly stole more than $75,000 from his Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) chapter, following an initial probe into a shoplifting incident, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday.
Abraham “Jason” Gassman, 53, is charged with a range of offenses, including second-degree Official Misconduct and Theft by Deception, third-degree Hindering Apprehension and Official Misconduct, third-degree Theft by Deception, fourth-degree Falsifying Records, and Shoplifting, classified as a disorderly persons offense.
The investigation began earlier this year when Gassman was caught shoplifting bedding valued at approximately $100 from a department store in Ocean Township.
Authorities say he fled the scene in his police-issued vehicle. That incident triggered a deeper investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility Unit.
According to investigators, Gassman had served as treasurer of his local PBA chapter since 2009 and exercised exclusive control over its finances.
Over the past six years, he allegedly used the PBA’s credit card for personal purchases—including patio furniture, vacuums, televisions, propane, food, a home gym kit, and more—and diverted cash from charity fundraisers and events.
In one case, Gassman reportedly charged lodging, meals, and other expenses for himself and another officer to the PBA credit card, then submitted a false reimbursement request to the police department.
Prosecutors say he also submitted falsified documents to the PBA’s accountant falsely claiming he had repaid some of the personal expenses and changed the credit card password to block oversight by the PBA’s leadership.
Gassman turned himself in Wednesday and is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending further proceedings in Superior Court.
Prosecutors plan to request that he be barred from contacting members of the PBA Executive Board and that he surrender his firearms and report monthly while the case proceeds.