Pa. Attorney General Kane announces resignation after conviction on perjury, obstruction charges

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced Tuesday afternoon that she will resign from her position at the close of business Wednesday.

"I have been honored to serve the people of Pennsylvania and I wish them health and safety in all their days," Kane said in a statement.

A jury convicted her Monday night on all nine counts, including two felony perjury counts, obstruction and official oppression. Her lawyers say she will appeal.

In calling her a flight risk, the judge ordered Kane, 50, to surrender her passport and threatened to jail her if she retaliated against the once-trusted aides who testified against her.

Kane's political consultant, testifying with a grant of immunity, changed his grand jury testimony last week to tell jurors that he had "conspired" with Kane to leak grand jury material and then frame her chief deputy for the crime.

Perjury -- the only felony charge -- can bring up to seven years in prison.

Bruce L. Castor Jr., who is Kane’s first deputy attorney general, will assume the role as the state’s top law enforcement official at the close of business Wednesday. Castor said he spoke with Kane prior to her decision and believes she made the right one.

“I told her it would be very difficult to remain in light of the developments in Montgomery County,” Castor said on Tuesday.

Several legislators from both sides of the political aisle also called on Kane to resign, and repeated calls for her resignation grew louder after her conviction.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf released the following statement after Kane's resignation:

“What has transpired with Attorney General Kane is unfortunate. Her decision to resign is the right one and will allow the people of Pennsylvania to finally move on from this situation. I have full faith and confidence in the employees of the Office of the Attorney General and know that they will continue to perform its most important functions including protecting consumers and prosecuting criminals. Moving forward, I will work with both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate regarding any potential appointment of an attorney general.”

Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said, "I had called on (Kane) to resign previously. Obviously, the conviction doesn’t change that…I think she is making the right decision for the people of Pennsylvania."

Kane could have remained in office while appealing the conviction until her term expired in January because officials in Pennsylvania do not have to resign over misconduct until they are sentenced.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for the latest on this developing story.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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