Former Pa. attorney general sentenced to jail time in perjury, obstruction case

PHILADELPHIA — Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was sentenced to 10 to 23 months in jail, then 8 years of probation.

Kane was found guilty of leaking grand jury documents to embarrass a rival and then lying about it under oath.

RAW: Kathleen Kane after judge sentenced her to jail

"What she did and what she put the citizens of the Commonwealth through during this period of time was significant,” Montgomery County’s Assistant District Attorney Michelle Henry said.

Kane, 50, argued that the loss of her career, law license and reputation is punishment enough.

"I really don't care what happens to me," Kane said during Monday's sentencing before leaning toward the defense table to grab tissues.

"There is no more torture in the world than to watch your children suffer and know you had something to do with it. Because I can't fix it," she said. "I have been punished."

Kane said her 14-year-old son, Zachary, didn't attend the sentencing because "he couldn't even bear it." Her 15-year-old son, Chris, asked a judge for leniency for his mother earlier Monday.

The judge told Kane her children were "collateral damages" to her own actions. He said told Kane her ego had driven her to take down enemies and break the law.

Kane was handcuffed in the courtroom before she was led out the side door. Her family declined to comment afterward. She will remain in custody until she posts $75,000 cash bail, higher than she had previously posted.

Current Attorney General Bruce Beemer released a statement following Kane's sentencing:

"Today is another sad day for the Commonwealth and its citizens. The Office of Attorney General is moving forward with steps to restore the public's confidence in the work that we do and the way that we do it. The men and women of the OAG are dedicated public servants who do their jobs with integrity on a daily basis. That is what the public expects and deserves."

Cox Media Group