Seth Williams Takes Abandoned Sting to Grand Jury

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams will present evidence from Kathleen Kane’s abandoned sting to a grand jury, letting the jury decide if charges should be brought in the matter.

The Inquirer reported this spring that Kane, the attorney general and a Democrat, dropped the case inherited from her predecessors even though several had been caught on tape taking money and other gifts. The publicized incidents involved mostly Philly-based Democrats serving in Harrisburg. Kane said the case had been spoiled by a sweetheart deal given a confidential informant in the case, as well as the fact that the targeted officials were overwhelmingly African-American. After Williams —who now employs some of the investigators on the case — criticized Kane, she turned the case files over to him for possible prosecution.

“If crimes occurred here of this nature, of this magnitude, we can’t stick our heads in the stand,” Williams said at a Wednesday press conference announcing the probe.”We can’t be indifferent.”

 Williams said today that he’ll let the jury see and hear the tape-recorded evidence, then decide on charges. CBS Philly adds: ” He said the secret grand jury probe is in a very early stage, and indictments, if any, would come later.  He said the secrecy (by law) of the grand jury investigation would enhance his ability to get to the bottom of the case. (CBS Philly)