The Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday unanimously confirmed Bruce Beemer to serve as attorney general (AG). Gov. Tom Wolf had nominated Beemer, who previously served as inspector general, to fill the vacancy left by Kathleen Kane (see Shale Daily,Aug. 19). Kane resigned earlier this month after being convicted of felony perjury charges for leaking grand jury testimony to a Philadelphia newspaper. Kane had sparred at times with the oil and gas industry, filing criminal charges againstXTO Energy Inc. for a spill at a drilling site and a wide-ranging lawsuit against Chesapeake Energy Corp. for allegedly deducting post-production costs from royalty checks (see Shale Daily,Aug. 5;Dec. 9, 2015). Beemer would serve as AG until January. Democrat Josh Shapiro and Republican state Sen. John Rafferty are facing off for the seat in the November election. The Senate confirmed Beemer during a special one day session before the chamber’s return from summer recess on Sept. 26.
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People — Bruce Beemer, PA Attorney General
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday nominated state Inspector General Bruce Beemer to serve as attorney general (AG). The nomination comes after Kathleen Kane was convicted on Monday of felony perjury charges for leaking grand jury testimony to a Philadelphia newspaper. She resigned as AG on Tuesday. Kane sparred at times with the oil and gas industry, filing criminal charges against XTO Energy Inc. for a spill at a drilling site and a wide-ranging lawsuit against Chesapeake Energy Corp. for deducting post-production costs from royalty checks (see Shale Daily,Aug. 5,Dec. 9, 2015). Her first deputy, Bruce Castor Jr., was sworn in as acting AG on Wednesday. Wolf has the authority to appoint Kane’s successor. The Senate must confirm Beemer’s appointment, which it’s expected to do quickly. He has the backing of Republican Senate leadership, Wolf’s office said. Beemer formerly served as first deputy in the AG’s office prior to Kane’s tenure. When she was elected he stayed, but he eventually left after testifying against her. Kane’s replacement will only serve a short tenure as a new AG is to be elected by voters in November.
