South Brunswick Officer Charged in $75K Union Theft

South Brunswick police officer Abraham 'Jason' Gassman, 53, has been charged with stealing over $75,000 from his local Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) chapter while serving as treasurer since 2009. The investigation began after Gassman was suspected of shoplifting $100 worth of bedding from an Ocean Township department store and fleeing in his police vehicle, which led authorities to uncover broader theft and misconduct. Over six years, Gassman allegedly used the union’s credit card for personal purchases, stole cash from charity fundraisers, falsified records, submitted false reimbursement requests, and blocked oversight by changing credit card passwords. He also allegedly double-billed for business trip expenses by charging the union card and seeking reimbursement from the department. Gassman turned himself in and is currently held in Monmouth County Jail pending court proceedings. Prosecutors seek to bar him from contacting PBA leadership and require him to surrender his firearms.