The chair of Philadelphia’s Citizens Police Oversight Commission is facing bribery, witness intimidation and other charges after prosecutors said he provided another man with sensitive information about witnesses in a domestic violence-related attempted murder case.
Hassan Bennett, who also works for the Public Defender’s Office, allegedly provided unredacted criminal case documents to Thomas Scott, an inmate accused of attempting to intimidate a witness in a domestic violence-related attempted murder case, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors allege Scott was seeking information about witnesses. Bennett provided the information to Scott through his work at either the Public Defender’s Office or the Citizens Police Oversight Commission in exchange for $500, according to officials.
“They should not only be holding themselves accountable, but if they are going to sit and hold us accountable, they should hold themselves to an even higher standard, which is why it’s disgraceful,” Assistant District Attorney William Fritze said.
Investigators said they uncovered the alleged exchange through jail calls made in August and digital records.
Criminal case documents released to the public are typically redacted to protect sensitive information. Prosecutors allege Bennett provided Scott with documents containing information that should not have been publicly available.
“Those documents were only supposed to go through attorneys. They’re not supposed to be sold outside the legal system for $500,” Assistant District Attorney Joseph Lanuti said.
Leaders at the Citizens Police Oversight Commission told the NBC10 Investigators that Bennett is currently on leave.
The commission released a statement addressing the allegations:
“The Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) has been made aware of the arrest of Hassan Bennett, who serves as the Chair of the Commission. We recognize the seriousness of this matter. We will respect the legal process, refrain from commenting on legal allegations that are under investigation and take appropriate steps to protect confidential information.
“CPOC will continue to follow this situation as it unfolds. Our responsibility to the people of Philadelphia remains unchanged. We will continue our work to strengthen police accountability, promote transparency, and build public trust.
“Bennett is currently on leave from the Commission. We will continue to share more information as it becomes available.”
Bennett faces charges including bribery and witness intimidation. A judge set his bail at $1 million, and he remained in custody as of Tuesday evening.
Scott faces the same charges and was held on $3 million bail.
Bennett was previously tried four times in connection with a homicide before ultimately being acquitted in 2019.
City Councilmember Curtis Jones, who spearheaded the staffing of Philadelphia’s Citizens Police Oversight Commission, said the allegations against Bennett are “very troubling.”
The NBC10 Investigators reached out to the Public Defender’s Office for comment.
