Kane fires aide who testified in leak probe

[Freddie Stubbs]

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane on Wednesday fired a top aide who testified last year in the leak investigation that led a grand jury to recommend criminal charges against her.

Kane fired James Barker, the chief deputy attorney general for appeals and legal services, her office confirmed. He was escorted out of the office by agents.

Kane's spokeswoman, Carolyn Myers, could not explain the reason for the dismissal, but said Barker's ouster had "absolutely nothing" to do with his testimony in the leak case. She said it was part of a "restructuring" of the office's criminal division, but did not explain what that entailed.

Reached for comment Wednesday night, Barker, 53, said he was given "no reason whatsoever" for his firing. "I didn't do anything wrong," he said, adding: "I had no idea this was coming, and any notion of a restructuring within the criminal law division is news to me." He would not elaborate.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150409_Kane_fires_aide_who_testified_in_leak_probe.html#81KO7xCJO5xCsTLU.99

[tularetom]

1. "Restructurings" usually don't result in somebody "being escorted out of the office by agents"

I don't care how much polish they put on this turd, it smells like a vendetta.

On the other hand if you testify before a grand jury that subsequently brings criminal charges against your boss, you probably shouldn't be surprised if you are canned.

[marble falls]

2. I'd expect a resignation or a canning.