In a small South Jersey town where political drama usually sticks to budget debates and zoning disputes, this week’s headline felt more like a courtroom thriller than a council agenda. Councilman Richard Bennett—who made headlines for allegedly sending hateful, anonymous letters to two school board members—was nowhere to be found at Wednesday’s township council meeting. But make no mistake: he was inside town hall earlier that day.
That’s when Bennett turned himself in to township police after being charged with two counts of harassment and two counts of forgery. And that’s where this story takes a sharp turn from local politics to criminal allegations, unfolding under the fluorescent lights of town government buildings and over the backdrop of ongoing school board tensions.
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A Political Feud Gets Personal
This isn’t just a minor spat between elected officials—it’s a bizarre and deeply personal dispute tied to the often-tense relationship between the local council and the board of education. Bennett, who previously served as the council liaison to the school board, is at the center of it all.
The letters in question were mailed to board members Connie Baker and Patricia Blome on May 12. Far from polite disagreement, these letters allegedly included words like “stupid,” “dishonest,” and “evil”—and carried the ominous warning: “God is watching you.” What made the letters even more disturbing was the return address: Julie Kozempel, the president of the school board, whose name and address were used without her knowledge.
As board members quickly realized that Kozempel couldn’t possibly have sent them, they turned to law enforcement. A police investigation followed, eventually uncovering video surveillance footage that reportedly shows Bennett mailing the letters at a local post office.
Harassment, Forgery, and Fallout
Police wasted no time once that footage surfaced. Bennett now faces two harassment charges for the content of the letters and two counts of forgery for allegedly misusing Kozempel’s return address.
He was processed and released, pending review by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office. It’s possible the case could remain at the municipal level, but the public attention could lead to wider scrutiny.
What’s even more striking is how quietly this bombshell landed at the council meeting itself. No mention was made of Bennett’s arrest during the meeting, and when questioned by other outlets, Bennett denied knowledge of the letters altogether—despite what the footage reportedly shows.
Where Does This Leave the Council?
Councilman Bennett didn’t return calls for comment. His absence at the meeting was notable, though not officially acknowledged. In a moment that called for transparency, the silence inside the meeting chamber was deafening.
There are also broader questions at play:
- Will Bennett step down, or be removed from his role?
- How will the council and school board move forward after this very public fracture?
- And what does this mean for local politics in a town already wrestling with trust issues?
One thing’s clear—this isn’t just about a few nasty letters. It’s about integrity in public service, the misuse of political power, and the very real impact personal grudges can have on public governance.
Bigger Than One Town
The situation unfolding here is a cautionary tale for every township and borough across New Jersey. School board battles have grown more heated across the state, often spilling out of meetings and into courtrooms, social media, and, now, post offices.
When elected officials weaponize their influence—especially under the guise of anonymity—it strikes at the heart of community trust. These aren’t just headlines. These are real people, real accusations, and real consequences.
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