House Approves Legislation to Investigate Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s Conduct
HARRISBURG – The state House today voted in bipartisan fashion to have the House Judiciary Committee conduct an investigation of the conduct of Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The vote was supported by Committee Chairmen Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) and Joseph Petrarca (D-Westmoreland/Armstrong/Indiana).
“Rep. Garth Everett’s resolution authorizes the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the conduct of Attorney General Kathleen Kane to determine whether her actions in office merit impeachment,” said Marsico.
“This action is necessitated by the nature of the allegations against the chief law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth,” said Everett (R-Lycoming/Union). “With that, a fair and impartial look into these allegations is required. I am confident that it will be handled in a professional manner.”
The House of Representatives is charged with the constitutional duty to investigate whether inappropriate conduct by public officials, including the attorney general, merits impeachment. Recently, Kane has been the subject of a grand jury investigation and subsequently has had several criminal charges filed against her.
“It is obviously not our intention to interfere with any ongoing criminal proceedings. However, it is imperative that we fulfill our constitutional oversight responsibility,” said Marsico.
“I voted to move this resolution forward in committee because investigation through the Judiciary Committee is the appropriate first step in a fair and open process,” said Petrarca.
In 1993, the House of Representatives authorized the House Judiciary Committee to conduct an investigation into whether then-Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen should be liable for impeachment. During the investigation, the opportunity was made for the presentation of both incriminating and exculpatory evidence to the committee, so that a reasoned decision could be made concerning whether to recommend the impeachment process go forward.
“With regard to Attorney General Kane, I believe the Judiciary Committee should initiate a similar investigation in order to determine if the House should proceed with articles of impeachment,” said Marsico.
The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Courts will conduct a transparent, bipartisan investigation and will be led by Subcommittee Chairmen Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery) and Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery).
The Subcommittee will now meet to make plans and move forward with their investigation in determining whether or not articles of impeachment need to be drafted.
“I’m humbled to be asked to take on this tremendous responsibility,” Stephens said. “This investigation will reflect the seriousness of the issue. Working together with Chairman Briggs and the other members of the subcommittee will ensure a fair, impartial and thorough investigation.”
“I cosponsored this resolution because I believe it empowers the subcommittee to take appropriate investigative action in a balanced and bipartisan manner, following the evidence where it leads,” said Briggs.
House Resolution 659 passed by a bipartisan vote of 170-12.
Representative Ronald Marsico
105th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RonMarsico.com
Media Contact: Autumn R. Southard, 717.652.3721
asouthar@pahousegop.com