Philadelphia Police Watchdog Chair Charged in Witness Intimidation Case
Philadelphia prosecutors accuse Hassan Bennett of sharing a witness’s identity and an unredacted arrest report with Thomas Scott, who was jailed in an attempted-murder case involving domestic violence. Bennett, who also worked at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, allegedly obtained the records through his job and accepted an offer of $500 for them.
Investigators monitoring prison calls say Scott sought information about the witness and threatened to “blow down” him in broad daylight. Prosecutors allege Bennett read details from the arrest report to Scott and later provided the documents. Scott then circulated them to others as part of an effort to intimidate the witness, prosecutors said. They also said Scott discussed trying to locate the witness and stop him from testifying.
Bennett and Scott face felony counts involving efforts to intimidate a witness or victim, a plan to commit crimes, offering a bribe, and using a communication device in connection with an offense. Bennett is on leave from the commission. The Defender Association is moving to end his employment, while saying he is entitled to due process.
Bennett was convicted of second-degree murder in 2008, then acquitted at a 2019 retrial after a victim and a co-defendant testified that a detective had coerced earlier statements implicating him. District Attorney Larry Krasner said the current allegations are serious but do not reflect on the commission or the Defender Association. The commission said it would protect confidential information and continue its work.
Alleged Witness-Information Sale Raises Stakes for Police Oversight
The allegations against Hassan Bennett strike at the public trust that civilian police oversight is meant to strengthen. Prosecutors say the Philadelphia Citizens Police Oversight Commission chair used access through his separate job at the Defender Association to share a witness’s identity and an unredacted arrest report with Thomas Scott, who was jailed in an attempted-murder case.
Investigators say Scott threatened to “blow down” the witness and sought to keep him from testifying. Prosecutors allege Bennett read information from the report to Scott, then supplied the documents after Scott offered $500. Scott allegedly distributed them to others to intimidate the witness.
Bennett and Scott face felony counts involving intimidation of a witness, a plan to commit crimes, offering a bribe, and using a communication device in connection with an offense. Bennett is on leave from the commission, and the Defender Association is moving to end his employment while recognizing his right to due process.
The case demands scrutiny because the allegations concern the handling of sensitive information by a leader entrusted with police accountability. Krasner said the alleged crimes do not reflect on the commission or the Defender Association. Bennett was acquitted of a 2008 murder conviction at a 2019 retrial after testimony that earlier statements against him had been coerced.
Philadelphia’s Police Watchdog Faces Questions After Chair’s Charges
A commission created to build trust in Philadelphia policing now faces scrutiny after its chair, Hassan Bennett, was charged in an alleged scheme involving confidential information and a threatened witness. Prosecutors say Bennett used access from his job at the Defender Association to pass an unredacted arrest report and the witness’s identity to Thomas Scott, who was jailed in an attempted-murder case.
The alleged price was $500. Investigators say Scott threatened to “blow down” the witness, sought to locate him and wanted him to withdraw his statement. Prosecutors allege Scott circulated the documents to others to intimidate the witness and prevent him from coming to court.
Bennett and Scott face felony counts involving intimidation, a plan to commit crimes, offering a bribe, and using a communication device in connection with an offense. Bennett is on leave, and the Defender Association is moving to terminate his employment while affirming his entitlement to due process.
The allegations raise a basic question for any public institution that holds sensitive records: whether the people granted access can be trusted to protect them. A National Police Association spokeswoman called the case a warning about entrusting confidential information to people without the necessary ethics. Krasner said the allegations should not be treated as a reflection on the organizations Bennett represented.
Reported by Fox News, Daily Mail US.
