NJ Washington Township Councilman Charged With Harassment, Forgery for Anonymous School Board Letters

Washington Township Councilman Richard Bennett has been charged with two counts each of harassment and forgery for allegedly sending harassing anonymous letters to two local Board of Education members, Patricia Blome and Connie Baker, using the school board president Julie Kozempel’s return address. Surveillance footage from a post office in the Sewell section of Washington Township shows Bennett paying for and mailing the letters. The letters contained insulting language accusing the recipients of dishonesty, incompetence, and misconduct related to the school district, which has been experiencing turmoil following the suspension of Superintendent Eric Hibbs. Bennett turned himself in to police, was processed, and released pending a court appearance. He has denied involvement despite clear evidence. State Senator Paul Moriarty also alleged prior similar conduct by Bennett, describing him as an embarrassment to the town.