Prosecutors have indicted a rising Democratic star in Pennsylvania, state attorney general Kathleen Kane, the second top law enforcement official charged with crimes in the last week.
Kane was charged Thursday with obstruction and conspiracy after she allegedly leaked confidential information about grand jury deliberations to the media and then attempted to cover it up. Kane allegedly attempted to retaliate against former prosecutors who had once embarrassed her, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney, and then allegedly lied in testimony to avoid prosecution.
“This investigation and the charges filed today show, beyond all doubt, that no one is above the law; not even the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Commonwealth,” said District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.
Kane, elected in 2012 and talked about by Pennsylvania Democrats as a top political contender in the state, is battling calls from top newspapers and from the state’s Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, to resign. She has not yet surrendered to authorities, the District Attorney’s office said.
Kane said she has no plans to resign: “I intend to defend myself vigorously against these charges,” she said in a statement. “A resignation would be an admission of guilt and I’m not guilty.”
On Monday, a Texas grand jury indicted Ken Paxton, a newly elected Republican, on securities fraud charges.