Leak probe leads to new warrant at Kane's office

HARRISBURG - Investigators served a search warrant on the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane on Thursday as part of an inquiry into allegations that she illegally leaked confidential documents to embarrass a foe.

The move was a sign that Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman is pushing hard in an investigation that sources say has gained significant momentum in recent weeks.

Since the state Supreme Court cleared the way for Ferman to pursue the case in March, she has deployed her detectives to gather fresh evidence to buttress a grand jury's recommendation that she arrest Kane, according to people familiar with the inquiry.

On Thursday, Ferman's investigators arrived at Kane's office and headed to the area that houses its computer operations, suggesting they were seeking e-mails, computer files, or other digital information.

As the warrant was served, Kane was presiding over a staff meeting elsewhere in the office.

Ferman's investigators have searched Kane's offices at least twice previously and obtained e-mails.

Kane's spokesman, Chuck Ardo, confirmed Thursday that the unannounced visit was "in furtherance of their investigation," but did not elaborate. Ferman could not be reached for comment.

The search comes as Ferman weighs a decision on whether to charge Kane with perjury and obstruction of justice, as the grand jury recommended.

The panel concluded that Kane broke the law by sharing confidential investigative documents with a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News and then lying about it before the grand jury. The panel said she released the material, from a 2009 grand jury inquiry, to embarrass a critic.

Kane has acknowledged providing documents to the paper but said she only authorized the release of material that was not covered by grand jury secrecy rules.

She has described herself as a victim of Republicans upset by her political ascent as the first woman and Democrat to hold the elected office.

Kane had asked the Supreme Court to stop the investigation of her actions, but the high court ruled that it could proceed.