Philadelphia watchdog chair charged over alleged witness disclosure

Philadelphia prosecutors announced felony charges against Citizens Police Oversight Commission chair Hassan Bennett and Thomas Scott on Oct. 27. Prosecutors allege Bennett read Scott an arrest report in an attempted-murder case and gave him the witness’s full name, in an investigation into alleged efforts to intimidate that witness. The allegations have not been tested in court.

The District Attorney’s Office says Scott offered $500 for case paperwork. It also said digital analysis indicated Scott obtained documents and sent them to other people. The account describes an alleged offer, not a confirmed payment.

The DA’s Office listed four felony charges against the two defendants: intimidation of a witness or victim, conspiracy, bribery and criminal use of a communication facility.

Alleged threats preceded the arrests i

The DA’s Office said its Gun Violence Task Force became aware in August of recorded prison calls and social-media activity in which Scott allegedly threatened the witness and sought to have the person recant or not come to court. WHYY reported Scott was arrested Oct. 1. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Bennett was arrested on Oct. 27, when prosecutors announced the charges.

Bennett’s bail was reported as $1 million. The DA’s Office, WHYY and CBS Philadelphia reported Scott’s bail as $3 million; the Inquirer reported $2 million. Using the $3 million figure reported by the DA’s Office and two outlets, Scott’s bail was three times Bennett’s, though accounts differ on Scott’s amount.

Commission and Defender Association roles i

Bennett chaired Philadelphia’s civilian police-oversight commission and also worked as a bail navigator for the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Axios reported he was placed on leave from the commission. The Inquirer reported his employment with the Defender Association was to end effective Oct. 29.

The Inquirer reported prosecutors had not said whether Bennett used either job to obtain the information. The Defender Association described the allegations as serious and said Bennett is entitled to due process and presumed innocent. The Inquirer reported the investigation remained ongoing.