Pennsylvania Governor Nominates Ex-Prosecutor Who Helped Convict Kane to Replace Her as AG

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday nominated a former top state prosecutor to serve as attorney general and replace the convicted Kathleen Kane, in a move that would end the fleeting tenure of Bruce L. Castor Jr.

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By Angela Couloumbis and Craig R. McCoy

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday nominated a former top state prosecutor to serve as attorney general and replace the convicted Kathleen Kane, in a move that would end the fleeting tenure of Bruce L. Castor Jr.

Wolf said his nominee, Bruce Beemer, has the support of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders. Beemer's nomination must by confirmed by the state Senate. A vote is not expected to take place before September.

"Bruce Beemer has a depth of experience. He has the respect of the employees of the Office of the Attorney General, and I have no doubt that he will make this transition seamless and smooth," Wolf said in a statement.

Beemer, a veteran prosecutor, was a key witness in the trial that led to Kane's conviction Monday on two felony counts of perjury and seven misdemeanor charges of abusing the power of her office.

Beemer, 47, who is from the Pittsburgh area where he once served as a county prosecutor, was Kane's first deputy until Wolf named him inspector general this summer. He will serve as attorney general until January, when the next elected attorney general will take office.

Voters will elect a new attorney general in November.

Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County board of commissioners, is on the ballot, opposing Republican nominee John Rafferty, a state senator from Montgomery County.

In a statement, Castor sought to put the best face on Wolf's action, noting that state law says a governor "shall nominate" someone to fill out the term of an attorney general who resigns.

"I will do all within my power to see that the Office of Attorney General is in the best possible shape for whenever the next attorney general arrives," Castor said.

Earlier Thursday, Castor, a Republican, issued a news release that referred to him as "attorney general," dropping the acting or interim prefix. The website of the Attorney General's Office also identified him Thursday as attorney general and carried his photograph with that title.

The choice of Beemer was immediately hailed by prosecutors and agents in the office, many of whom viewed him as a stabilizing force during Kane's tumultuous tenure.

Although Beemer was Kane's hand-picked top deputy, their relationship turned icy after it became know that he was to testify against her at her trial.

When Beemer left her agency several months ago, Kane appointed Castor to a new post as the office's solicitor general. She then named him her top deputy upon Beemer's departure.

Under state law, Castor was sworn in as interim attorney general on Wednesday afternoon when Kane's resignation became effective.

Beemer's appointment will have to be approved by a two-thirds majority of the GOP-controlled state Senate. Wolf said he had spoken with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders and they had endorsed his choice.

Beemer will return to his post as inspector general in January, Wolf said.

Beemer had been lead prosecutor in the case against three former Pennsylvania State University administrators accused of covering up child sexual abuse by Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach at the university. Another prosecutor assumed that role after Beemer left the office this summer.

(c)2016 The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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