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Philly police oversight chair charged with bribery, intimidation
NBC10 Philadelphia • • nation
Key Points:
- Hassan Bennett, chair of Philadelphia's Citizens Police Oversight Commission and Public Defender's Office employee, faces bribery, witness intimidation, and related charges for allegedly providing sensitive, unredacted criminal case documents to inmate Thomas Scott in exchange for $500.
- Scott, accused of attempting to intimidate a witness in a domestic violence-related attempted murder case, sought confidential witness information, which Bennett allegedly supplied through his official roles, violating legal protocols.
- The alleged misconduct was uncovered through jail call recordings and digital evidence, with prosecutors emphasizing the breach of trust and the improper sale of confidential legal documents.
- Bennett is currently on leave from the Commission, with bail set at $1 million; Scott faces similar charges and a $3 million bail, while the Citizens Police Oversight Commission affirmed its commitment to accountability and transparency amid the investigation.
- City Councilmember Curtis Jones expressed concern over the allegations, and the Public Defender's Office has been contacted for comment.
