HARRISBURG — The chief of staff to Attorney General Kathleen Kane resigned Friday, capping a difficult week for Pennsylvania’s chief law enforcement official.
Blake Rutherford, who became Ms. Kane’s chief of staff in December, told colleagues in an email that he will join Cozen O’Connor, the Philadelphia-based law firm, and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, a government relations firm, in May.
The announcement follows the state Supreme Court’s rejection on Tuesday of the attorney general’s challenge to the appointment of a special prosecutor who investigated allegations that she had leaked grand jury secrets.
A grand jury’s recommendation that Ms. Kane be charged with perjury and other crimes is being reviewed by the Montgomery County district attorney.
The announcement also follows a Philadelphia Inquirer report Wednesday night that Ms. Kane had undermined an investigation of a former state gaming official by revoking subpoenas delivered to two men who are influential in her political home base of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
On Friday, the Inquirer and the Patriot-News of Harrisburg published editorials saying that Ms. Kane should resign.
Mr. Rutherford’s departure follows that in early March of communications director Aaron Sadler, who left to fill the same post for the Louisiana attorney general. Mr. Sadler’s hiring by Ms. Kane had been announced two months earlier.
In an email to colleagues Friday, Mr. Rutherford wrote: “I want to express my appreciation to General Kane for providing me with this opportunity and to all of you for your work on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania.”
Ms. Kane in a statement congratulated Mr. Rutherford and wished him well.
First Published: April 3, 2015, 4:27 p.m.
Updated: April 4, 2015, 3:06 a.m.