Pennsylvania attorney general Kathleen Kane was found guilty on perjury and obstruction charges. The 12 person jury sided with prosecutors that Kane orchestrated a grand jury leak to gain revenge against a political rival.
The verdict was announced late Monday evening after a week-long trial. Kane never testified in her own defense, but in closing arguments her lawyers said the prosecution did not make a strong case.
One of Kane’s biggest critics, political activist Gene Stilp disagreed.
“She rose to be a shooting star and then she completely burnt out,” said Stilp.
Holding a life-sized billboard featuring a photo-shopped picture of Kane in handcuffs and a prison jumpsuit, Stilp says he will ask for her law license to be permanently removed.
“She deserves a unique color, a little bit of orange in her life other than the nice pant suits and suits she wears and things like that. She deserves a little bit of orange in her life, like every other defendant in PA gets,” said Stilp.
In their closing arguments Monday, defense attorneys tried to portray the key witnessses as liars.
The prosecution tried to show the volume of evidence they have clearly illustrates Kane knew about the grand jury leak.
Sentencing will take place in 90 days.
Governor Tom Wolf released the following statement:
“Today is a sad day for the commonwealth and the people of Pennsylvania. Attorney General Kane has been convicted of serious charges. These are unbecoming of the commonwealth’s top law enforcement officer.
“As I have made clear, I do not believe Kathleen Kane should be Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I believed this when she was charged, and today, after conviction, there should be no question that she should resign immediately.
“While there is no simple procedure to remove a civil officer, the Office of Attorney General and its employees, as well as the people of Pennsylvania deserve to move on. I implore Attorney General Kane to do what is right: put the commonwealth’s residents first and step down from office.”
