HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 16 (UPI) — The first woman and Democrat ever elected as Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement officer announced her resignation Tuesday following her convictions on a number of criminal counts.
State Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced her departure from the office earlier Tuesday, saying initially her resignation would take effect Wednesday.
“I have been honored to serve the people of Pennsylvania and I wish them health and safety in all their days,” she said in a brief statement.
Kane’s deputy, Bruce Castor, will replace his former boss as acting attorney general until a permanent successor is elected in November.
Prosecutors say the attorney general then lied about her actions under oath in open court.
Kane, 50, faces a maximum sentence of 28 years in prison when she is sentenced Oct. 24, although it’s highly unlikely she will receive punishment that severe since she has no prior criminal record.
Her conviction followed multiple controversies surrounding Kane’s office in recent years — including her decision to shut down a government anti-corruption investigation in 2014 and a racy email scandal last year, dubbed “porngate” by some news outlets.
Under state law, Kane isn’t required to resign until the day she is sentenced but mounting political pressure may have persuaded her to depart quickly. Lawmakers made it clear Monday night that they would have her removed from office if she didn’t step down immediately.
“What has transpired with Attorney General Kane is unfortunate,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Her decision to resign is the right one, and will allow the people of Pennsylvania to finally move on from this situation.”
Those accusations of revenge compelled judge Wendy Demchick-Alloy to warn Kane at the conclusion of her trial Monday to refrain from any further attempts at revenge.
“There is to be absolutely no retaliation of any kind against any witness in this case, either by your own devices, from your own mouth or your hand, or directing anybody to do anything,” Demchick-Alloy said. “Is that clear, Ms. Kane?”
“Yes it is, your honor,” Kane replied.
Video: ABC News
