Kane fires deputy who testified before grand jury targeting her

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has sacked one of her top deputies.

Kane’s office says James Barker was fired as part of a larger restructuring. As reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, the head of criminal appeals testified before a grand jury looking into allegations that Kane leaked secret grand jury information.

But office spokeswoman Carolyn Myers says Barker’s dismissal is unrelated.

“His termination has absolutely nothing to do with that testimony,” said Myers. “It is not in retaliation for anything. It is simply part of this office’s restructuring.”

Attempts to reach Barker were unsuccessful. His name goes on a growing list of top aides and spokespeople who have left the office since Kane took the helm.

Myers wouldn’t say if other people might be fired.

“This is an ongoing restructuring,” Myers said.

The attorney general is under threat of indictment as Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman mulls whether to follow through on charges recommended by the grand jury looking into Kane’s activity.

Kane has said she has done nothing wrong, and has no plans to resign. Gov. Tom Wolf said this week he won’t call for her to step down, preferring instead to let the legal process “play out.”