Kane Top Deputy: We're Doing The Best In A Bad Situation

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) -- Kathleen Kane's top deputy says he and his colleagues are "doing the best in a bad situation." The testimony came before a special state Senate committee exploring whether Kane can function as attorney general with a suspended law license.

Kathleen Kane's first deputy, Bruce Beemer, testifying before the Senate committee under subpoena, said he believed that the Attorney General's Office continues to function on solid legal ground. But he admitted there are potential problems posed by Kane's suspended law license. In response to a question about a 'worst-case scenario,' Beemer cited a potential situation where a judge agrees with a defense attorney for a dangerous criminal jailed with high bail who challenges the authority of the attorney general's office to prosecute.

"That person would be released even if it was in the short term until we could address that issue. That is… what I would call a sort of 'nuclear' scenario. We pray that does not happen."

The chairman of the Senate committee says the panel plans to meet next Wednesday's deadline to report its findings.