Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane, the state's top prosecutor, was criminally charged Thursday in a scheme to leak grand jury material and later cover it up - a stunning blow to a political career that was once on a steep ascent.

At a news conference in Norristown, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman unveiled an indictment including charges of perjury, official oppression, obstruction of justice and contempt of court.

Also charged was Patrick Reese, a member of Kane's security detail and her driver, who stands accused of aiding the attorney general in the alleged cover-up by sneaking into grand jury files.

Ferman said her office's investigation remains active and that others could still face charges.

"No one is above the law, not even the chief law enforcement officer of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Ferman said.

She added: "This is a sad day for the citizens of Pennsylvania and a sad day for all of us in law enforcement. When someone entrusted with upholding the law violates that oath, we are all victims."

Kane, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, was at home in Scranton when the case against her was announced, her spokesman Chuck Ardo said.

She is expected to appear before a Montgomery County district judge within the next two days.

In a statement released within minutes of Ferman's announcement, Kane vowed to fight her case and to remain in office.

"I am very disappointed the district attorney has made the decision to pursue this case. I have maintained my innocence from the day these allegations surfaced and I continue to do so today," she said. "I intend to defend myself vigorously against these charges.

"Meanwhile, I remain committed to leading the Office of Attorney General and doing the job the citizens of this Commonwealth elected me to do. A resignation would be an admission of guilt and I'm not guilty."

Kane, 49, a Democrat, is the first attorney general in Pennsylvania to face criminal charges since Ernie Preate Jr., a Republican who pleaded guilty in a federal corruption case two decades ago.

Her indictment comes nearly nine months after a statewide grand jury recommended charges against her.

The panel concluded late last year that Kane released confidential grand jury materials in an act of revenge against a former prosecutor in her office whom she blamed for her political troubles.

The grand jury referred the case to Ferman, who has spent months reviewing the evidence the panel uncovered and unearthing new information.

Addressing reporters Thursday, Ferman recalled the day she took her own oath as a prosecutor in describing her disappointment in Kane's alleged actions. But the district attorney declined to offer an opinion on whether the attorney general should resign.

"Whether or not she should step down is a decision she will have to make," said Ferman.

But Ardo, Kane's spokesman, remained resolute.

"For those calling for the attorney general's resignation," said Ardo, "the last time I heard a call for a sentence before a verdict was delivered was in Alice in Wonderland."

Quoted:
Wolf is calling for her to step down as well.

I know she has a burning desire to infringe on our right but wasn't there a story last year where she chose not to prosecute a few democrats in Philly for misuse of public funds (stealing)?

Quoted:
Wolf is calling for her to step down as well.

I know she has a burning desire to infringe on our right but wasn't there a story last year where she chose not to prosecute a few democrats in Philly for misuse of public funds (stealing)?

Quoted:
Wolf is calling for her to step down as well.

I know she has a burning desire to infringe on our right but wasn't there a story last year where she chose not to prosecute a few democrats in Philly for misuse of public funds (stealing)?

NORRISTOWN >> Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s driver is due in court on a charge of indirect criminal contempt.

Patrick Reese was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Montgomery County court in connection with his alleged efforts, which were unsuccessful, to help his boss avoid prosecution.

The former Dunmore police chief is accused of violating a judge’s protective order by accessing emails in state computers to keep Kane informed about the grand jury probe that targeted her.

The attorney general is accused of leaking secret grand jury information to embarrass a former state prosecutor who she felt had made her look bad. She’s also accused of lying about her actions under oath. She was arraigned Saturday on a felony count of perjury and other charges. She has denied any wrongdoing, and has refused calls to step down.

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She officially jumped the shark yesterday.   A bizarre, rambling press conference that left many wondering if she was heavily medicated.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2015/08/12/Kane-won-t-take-questions-at-press-conference-spokesman-says/stories/201508120191

Didn't answer any questions.

The remarks directly to her sons at the end of it were out of place and frankly chilling to me.   I think she's gonna go out on pills & booze.

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She officially jumped the shark yesterday.   A bizarre, rambling press conference that left many wondering if she was heavily medicated.

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/2015/08/12/Kane-won-t-take-questions-at-press-conference-spokesman-says/stories/201508120191

Didn't answer any questions.

The remarks directly to her sons at the end of it were out of place and frankly chilling to me.   I think she's gonna go out on pills & booze.

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kind of reminds me of another state official's press conference.

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So what is going to be done to restore the damage she's done to reciprocity and out of state permits?  Who's job would it be to do that?