Pa. Supreme Court Affirms Leak Probe That Named Attorney General Kathleen Kane
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court today issued a ruling in the case of attorney general Kathleen Kane, knocking away one of her attempts to have the case against her dropped.
The case involves allegations that Kane, the Pennsylvania attorney general, violated grand jury secrecy rules. She had gone to the state Supreme Court seeking to nullify the appointment of the special prosecutor and the resultant recommendations of a follow-up grand jury that she be charged in connection with the alleged leak of secret information from a previous grand jury.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court concludes in an opinion released this afternoon that the supervising judge acted within his authority and "sound prerogative" in appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the grand jury leaks.
The ruling appears to be a big loss for Kane and her efforts to stop the process which could lead to her facing charges of contempt-of-court for release of the grand jury information.
In a statement released to reporters, Kane's attorney expressed faith in the judicial system and faith that the Montgomery County District Attorney will review the evidence and the law and conclude that Attorney General Kane is innocent of any violations.