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Philadelphia commission chair reportedly arrested in bribery investigation
Hassan Bennett, chair of Philadelphia’s Citizens Police Oversight Commission, was arrested Tuesday morning on bribery charges, according to a report citing sources. Prosecutors planned to announce charges at a 2 p.m. news conference but had not publicly identified the official or detailed the allegations at the time.
Hassan Bennett, 43, chair of Philadelphia’s Citizens Police Oversight Commission, was arrested Tuesday morning on bribery charges, KYW Newsradio reported, citing sources.
Bennett is accused of selling confidential information he obtained through his work as a bail navigator at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, according to the report. The specific information allegedly involved and other details of the case were not disclosed in the reporting available before the planned announcement.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said it expected to announce charges at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, with members of its Gun Violence Task Force. Assistant District Attorneys William Fritze and Joseph Lanuti were expected to participate, along with staff from the office’s Victim Services Unit.
Before that announcement, the DA’s office had not publicly named the official or described the charges. The allegations reported against Bennett have not been tested in court.