Judge in case involving Kane aide says he was followed

The judge presiding over the criminal case against an aide to state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane said at a hearing Tuesday that he and his wife had been followed and that his house had been under surveillance.

Montgomery County Court Judge William R. Carpenter made the disclosure before denying a motion to dismiss a contempt-of-court charge against Patrick Reese, who was the head of Kane's security detail and her sometime driver. Carpenter also denied a motion to recuse himself.

Carpenter said he wanted to disclose to the defense that last fall, he was followed and his house was under surveillance, and that when his wife drove the car he normally drove, she was followed, too.

The judge said he did not know who conducted the surveillance and did not want to suggest that Reese or anyone else in particular was involved. He said he felt obligated under the Judicial Code of Conduct to disclose the information to the defense. He did not elaborate.

Chuck Ardo, a spokesman for Kane, said he did not know what Carpenter was talking about and declined to comment further.

Carpenter, a Republican, has served on the court since 1993.

Reese has pleaded not guilty to violating Carpenter's order barring Kane's office from retaliating against witnesses in an investigation of whether she illegally leaked confidential information. His trial is set for Dec. 7.

Reese still works for Kane, a Democrat, who is charged with conspiracy and other crimes, in part over allegedly ordering Reese to spy. She has pleaded not guilty.

Last week, the state Senate announced it was forming a committee to explore whether Kane, whose law license has been suspended, can perform the duties of the office. The panel's members, announced Monday, are Republican Sens. John Gordner (Columbia County), Gene Yaw (Lycoming), and Lisa Baker (Luzerne), and Democratic Sens. Art Haywood (Philadelphia), Judy Schwank (Berks), and Sean Wiley (Erie). Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) is an ex-officio member.