Court releases pornographic emails Kane wanted to make public
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Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane speaks during a news conference earlier this month. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court unsealed a trove of documents showing that, as early as November, Kane was claiming that the investigation into her stemmed from her efforts to release pornographic and insensitive emails exchanged by her critics.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has unsealed a trove of documents that show, as early as last November, Attorney General Kathleen Kane was claiming that the investigation into her stemmed from her efforts to release pornographic and insensitive e-mails exchanged by her critics.
The documents unsealed by the high court Wednesday show that Kane made multiple appeals to quash the investigation into her, saying it was triggered by two critics and former prosecutors in her office: Frank Fina and Marc Costanzo.
The court also unsealed a selection of the pornographic emails Kane’s office uncovered, revealing Fina and Costanzo were among the message senders and recipients. Both now work for Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, whose office has not responded to requests for comment.
In one filing, Kane asserted that Fina and Costanzo “corruptly manufactured” the grand jury investigation into her when her office unearthed pornographic and sophomoric emails. In another filing, Kane said they are trying to “manipulate and exploit” the investigation into her.
Kane will stand trial on several criminal charges for allegedly leaking investigative material to embarrass her critics – namely, Fina and Costanzo. She has said she’ll fight the charges, and claims they stem from her efforts to release inappropriate office emails.
Kane has not explained how the emails invalidate the criminal case against her that she broke grand jury secrecy rules and lied about it under oath.
The emails released were exchanged by Fina and Costanzo along with dozens of others, including current and former employees of the Office of Attorney General. The messages contain graphic sexual images, racially charged jokes, jibes at obese people, and dismissive comments about women.
At least one appears to mix business with pleasure. An e-mail from OAG special agent Robert Gift to Frank Fina responds to photos of busty tennis athletes. Gift writes: “are you going to be available tomorrow while I interview ADA Shaffer and possibly the DA about this Judge Pratt thing (just in case they have any questions)?” Fina responds: “Yes, call my bberry. I will be with the PSP on a murder case.”
Kane’s office spokesman Chuck Ardo said there are additional pornographic emails and “attendant materials” Kane would like to release that are “part of her defense.”
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