Philadelphia Police Oversight Chairman Accused of Selling Witness’s Identity to Man Who Threatened to Kill Him

The chairman of Philadelphia’s Citizens Police Oversight Commission has been arrested after prosecutors accused him of selling confidential information about a witness in an attempted-murder case to a man who allegedly threatened to hunt the witness down.

Hassan Bennett, 43, was taken into custody on October 27 alongside Thomas Scott, 45. Both men face felony charges, including witness intimidation, conspiracy, bribery and criminal use of a communication facility.

According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, the investigation began after authorities discovered that Scott was attempting to identify and intimidate a witness in an active attempted-murder case.

Investigators said Scott made threatening statements during recorded prison phone calls and on social media. Prosecutors alleged that he searched for the witness’s location, demanded that the person withdraw their statement and threatened violence if the witness appeared in court.

The investigation took a more unexpected turn when authorities allegedly heard Bennett speaking with Scott during one of the recorded calls.

Prosecutors said Bennett read information from the attempted-murder arrest report and disclosed the witness’s full name. Scott allegedly offered him $500 in exchange for copies of the paperwork.

Authorities believe Bennett accessed confidential information through his work with the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Investigators said Scott later obtained photographs of the documents and circulated them to others in an effort to intimidate the witness.

Bennett’s arrest has attracted particular attention because he had become a prominent criminal justice reform advocate after spending nearly 13 years in prison for a murder conviction that was later overturned.

He was originally convicted in 2008 in connection with the 2006 killing of Devon English. After multiple legal proceedings, Bennett represented himself at a retrial and was acquitted in 2019.

Following his release, he worked with the Defender Association and became involved in Philadelphia’s police accountability movement. He had served as chairman of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission since 2024.

The commission was created to provide civilian oversight of the Philadelphia Police Department and strengthen transparency in investigations of alleged police misconduct.

Following Bennett’s arrest, the commission confirmed that he had been placed on leave while the legal process continued. The Defender Association also said the allegations were exceptionally serious and that it was cooperating with authorities.

Prosecutors set Bennett’s bail at $1 million, while Scott’s bail was set at $3 million, according to the initial announcement by authorities.

The case has raised difficult questions about the protection of confidential witness information, particularly when the person accused of disclosing it held a position connected to public accountability.

Bennett and Scott remain accused, and the charges have not yet been resolved in court. Prosecutors say their investigation is continuing.