Kane Chief Of Staff Battles State Senators At Hearing

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Kathleen Kane's chief of staff sparred with Republican state senators this past week at a hearing that could set the stage for a vote on whether to remove the embattled attorney general from office. While Kane did not appear at the hearing, others did on her behalf.

While former Governor Rendell grabbed the headlines, the testimony of Kane's chief of staff, Jonathan Duecker, produced some tense moments. Duecker's testimony was contrary to concerns expressed by others last fall about the effect of Kane's suspended law license.

The top state senator, President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati, was baffled by Duecker's claims that the effect is minimal:

"Are you saying that those that testified previously, such as the first deputy – they misled or lied to this committee?" asked Scarnati.

"I can't speak for them," Duecker replied. replied I can tell you what, what… based on my experience and my role in the office and what it is I do on behalf of the commonwealth… I can tell you that vast majority of what this office does is outside the practice of law."

Kane's spokesman, meanwhile, says she is planning to run for re-election.