Philadelphia Police Watchdog Chair Charged With Selling Witness Name
Hassan Bennett, who leads Philadelphia's Citizens Police Oversight Commission, is accused of giving an inmate a witness's identity and an unredacted arrest report in an attempted murder case.
Hassan Bennett, chair of Philadelphia’s civilian police oversight board, has been charged with selling a witness’s identity and an unredacted arrest report to a prison inmate in a domestic violence attempted murder case, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors say the inmate, Thomas Scott, then circulated the material to intimidate the witness and keep him from testifying.
What happened
Investigators built the case partly on recorded prison phone calls. In those calls, Bennett is accused of reading details from the arrest report to Scott and disclosing the witness’s full name. Scott allegedly asked for the paperwork and offered $500, and the documents were later sent to him. From prison, Scott was recorded saying he was trying to find where the witness lived and that the witness should take back his statement, the district attorney’s office said. Prosecutors also say Scott described his social media posts as a way to stop the witness from appearing in court.
Bennett and Scott each face felony counts of witness or victim intimidation, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, and bribery.
Bennett leads the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, a body created after the 2020 protests that followed George Floyd’s death. He also works at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Court records show he was convicted of second-degree murder in 2008; that conviction was overturned and he was acquitted at a 2019 retrial, where a victim and a co-defendant said a former homicide detective had coerced their earlier statements against him.
The commission said Bennett is on leave and that it will not comment on allegations still under investigation. District Attorney Larry Krasner called the allegations serious but said they do not reflect on the oversight commission or the Defender Association as institutions. He added that the evidence against Bennett is strong. A National Police Association spokeswoman, Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith, told Fox News Digital the case should serve as a warning to other cities about who is trusted with confidential information.
Why it matters
The charge lands on the person running the city’s main civilian check on police conduct, which this suggests could complicate public confidence in that body while the case proceeds. Witness intimidation is also central to how prosecutors decide whether a case can go forward: if a witness is afraid to appear, charges can weaken or collapse. The commission’s decision to place Bennett on leave indicates it is trying to separate his case from its daily work, though the outcome is not yet known.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who is charged | Hassan Bennett, chair of the Philadelphia Citizens Police Oversight Commission |
| Co-defendant | Thomas Scott, a prison inmate |
| Alleged conduct | Selling a witness’s name and an unredacted arrest report in an attempted murder case |
| Alleged payment | $500 offered by Scott, per prosecutors |
| Charges | Witness/victim intimidation, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, bribery (all felonies) |
| Bennett’s other job | Works at the Defender Association of Philadelphia |
| Commission status | Bennett placed on leave |
What this means for you
- If you are a witness in a criminal case, the allegations show why prosecutors treat witness safety as a case-management issue, not a side matter.
- If you deal with city boards or oversight bodies, expect more scrutiny of how confidential records are handled and who can access them.
- For Philadelphia residents, the commission says its work continues while Bennett is on leave; whether that holds will depend on how the case develops.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Citizens Police Oversight Commission?
It is Philadelphia’s city-run civilian body that monitors police conduct. It was formed after the 2020 protests over George Floyd’s death.
What is Bennett accused of doing?
Prosecutors say he gave an inmate a witness’s full name and an unredacted arrest report in an attempted murder case, and that the inmate then used the material to try to scare the witness off.
Has Bennett responded to the charges?
The source report says Bennett could not be reached for comment. The commission has said it will not discuss allegations under investigation.
What charges do the men face?
Both face felony counts of witness or victim intimidation, conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility, and bribery.
What to watch next
Court dates and Bennett’s employment status are the next concrete markers. It is not yet known whether he will step down from the chair role or how the commission will handle his access to confidential records during the case.
- Hassan Bennett, chair of Philadelphia's police oversight commission, is charged with selling a witness's name and an unredacted arrest report to inmate Thomas Scott.
- Prosecutors say Scott offered $500 and was recorded describing efforts to find the witness and stop him from testifying.
- Both men face felony charges including witness intimidation, conspiracy, and bribery; Bennett is on leave from the commission.
