Kathleen Kane To Resign As PA Attorney General

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has announced that she will resign from her post a day after being found guilty of perjury and related charges.

Kane was found guilty of all charges that were put against her, including obstruction of the administration of law, official oppression, conspiracy, false swearing, and perjury.

Government officials across party lines called for her resignation after the jury's decision, including Gov. Tom Wolf.

“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," Wolf said in a statement. “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.”

Kane's office said that she would formally resign at the end of the work day on Wednesday, according to the AP.

Kane's lawyers said they are going to appeal the decision.

Kane became the first woman and the first Democrat to be elected Pennsylvania's attorney general in 2012. Kane's conviction and resignation mark the apparent conclusion of a long and dirty public fight between her and her rivals.

Prosecutors alleged Kane leaked information about a grand jury probe in an attempt to embarrass a rival. The jury agreed, following damaging testimony of a former political consultant who said he was asked to deliver the leaked documents to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Kane maintained her innocence after being arrested and arraigned, stating that she was “very disappointed” in the charges that were filed and that she would vigorously defend herself.

A grand jury panel, led by Special Prosecutor Thomas Carluccio, found in December of 2014 that Kane should be charged with everything that she was ultimately found guilty of. Carluccio did not advance the charges but sent the panel’s conclusions to then-Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. In turn, Ferman pressed charges against Kane last summer.

This is a breaking story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.