The "clowns" in the title do not refer to circus clowns. Instead, they symbolize fools, as Sondheim explained in a 1990 interview.
As of last week, a House Judiciary subcommittee was still considering the impeachment of disgraced former Attorney General Kathleen Kane pressed forward with a long-awaiting public hearing Monday.
There was one big problem with that: Kane resigned in mid-August, in the wake of her conviction on perjury, obstruction of justice and other charges. So there can be no impeachment.
Overkill?
Kathleen Kane impeachment 'would not be prudent,' House subcommittee finds
Attorney General Kathleen Kane leaves Montgomery County Courthouse Aug. 10, 2016 after the third day of her trial. CLEM MURRAY / Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News
PennLive.com
By Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com
updated December 01, 2016 at 4:20
Former Attorney General Kathleen Kane should not face impeachment, according to a state House subcommittee that formed earlier this year to review her conduct in office.
"While a majority of the subcommittee members believe that the evidence...detailed conduct which would meet the definition of 'misbehavior in office,' we have decided that the conviction in a criminal court...accomplishes the objectives of impeachment," Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery County, wrote in a letter attached to the 5-page report.
In August, a jury found Kane guilty of felony perjury and other charges related to the leak of secret grand jury materials in order to embarrass her rivals. She was sentenced to 10 to 23 months in jail but is expected to appeal.
Stephens, the subcommittee's chairman, said the criminal conviction effectively removed Kane from office and will prevent her from holding another public office.
"It would not be prudent at the present time to expend taxpayer funds for further impeachment proceedings," he wrote, but noted that it may be appropriate if she becomes eligible to run for office again in the future.
In wake of Kathleen Kane's conviction, a look back at the trial
After a lengthy investigation behind the scenes, the subcommittee met last month for a public hearing during which a series of former Kane employees testified about her conduct in office.
The group of lawmakers made a series of recommendations for further legislative review based on its findings:
As of last week, a House Judiciary subcommittee was still considering the impeachment of disgraced former Attorney General Kathleen Kane pressed forward with a long-awaiting public hearing Monday.
There was one big problem with that: Kane resigned in mid-August, in the wake of her conviction on perjury, obstruction of justice and other charges. So there can be no impeachment.
Overkill?
Kathleen Kane impeachment 'would not be prudent,' House subcommittee finds
Attorney General Kathleen Kane leaves Montgomery County Courthouse Aug. 10, 2016 after the third day of her trial. CLEM MURRAY / Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News
PennLive.com
By Wallace McKelvey | WMckelvey@pennlive.com updated December 01, 2016 at 4:20
Former Attorney General Kathleen Kane should not face impeachment, according to a state House subcommittee that formed earlier this year to review her conduct in office.
"While a majority of the subcommittee members believe that the evidence...detailed conduct which would meet the definition of 'misbehavior in office,' we have decided that the conviction in a criminal court...accomplishes the objectives of impeachment," Rep. Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery County, wrote in a letter attached to the 5-page report.
In August, a jury found Kane guilty of felony perjury and other charges related to the leak of secret grand jury materials in order to embarrass her rivals. She was sentenced to 10 to 23 months in jail but is expected to appeal.
Stephens, the subcommittee's chairman, said the criminal conviction effectively removed Kane from office and will prevent her from holding another public office.
"It would not be prudent at the present time to expend taxpayer funds for further impeachment proceedings," he wrote, but noted that it may be appropriate if she becomes eligible to run for office again in the future.
In wake of Kathleen Kane's conviction, a look back at the trial
After a lengthy investigation behind the scenes, the subcommittee met last month for a public hearing during which a series of former Kane employees testified about her conduct in office.
The group of lawmakers made a series of recommendations for further legislative review based on its findings:
- Requiring the attorney general to possess a valid law license at all times.
- Requiring AG's office contractors and employees who provide legal services to possess a valid Pennsylvania law license.
- Prohibiting AG's office attorneys frommaintaining a private law practice.
- Clarifying that the first deputy should befirst in line to assume any duties the attorney general can't fulfill.
- Providing for greater legislative oversight over government agencies.
- Creating an avenue for whistleblowers to report wrongdoing outside their agency.
- Providing greater protections for whistleblowers.
- Providing explicit protections for individuals who cooperate with a legislative investigation.
- Reviewing grand jury secrecy laws.
- Reviewing non-disclosure provisions in legal settlements
