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Kane's office settles ex-worker's whistle-blower suit

The office of embattled Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane will pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged that Kane fired him in retaliation for recommending that she dismiss a top aide for sexual harassment.

The office of embattled Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane will pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged that Kane fired him in retaliation for recommending that she dismiss a top aide for sexual harassment.

George Moore, a former human resources analyst for the Attorney General's Office, will split most of the money with his attorney, according to the settlement, made public Tuesday by Kane's office.

Ending the case now will save money and avoid a long legal battle, First Deputy Attorney General Bruce L. Castor Jr. said in statement.

"We settled the case on advice of counsel, who opined there would be substantial legal costs and a lengthy proceeding ahead. I thought resolving it sooner rather than letting it drag out would be cheaper in the long run, and I considered having the matter closed to be of value," Castor said.

The settlement provides that there is "no admission of liability or fault" by any party in the case.

Moore gets $72,221.03 for "nonwage losses," according to the settlement.

His lawyer, Patricia V. Pierce, gets $60,000. The Office of the Attorney General will retain $4,419, representing unemployment benefits paid to Moore last year.

The remainder of the $150,000 total goes to Moore, said Jeffrey A. Johnson, acting deputy press secretary for Kane.

Pierce declined to comment on the settlement.

Moore, who filed his federal lawsuit in December, alleged that he was fired after recommending that Kane fire Jonathan Duecker, whom Kane was promoting to be chief of staff.

Moore alleged that Kane and Duecker attempted to secretly quash sexual harassment accusations against Duecker involving two female coworkers - an assistant prosecutor and an agent.

Kane, whose term in office has been roiled by a series of controversies, is facing a criminal trial in Montgomery County next week. She has been charged with perjury, obstruction, official oppression, and related offenses.

She is accused of illegally leaking secret grand jury information in a bid to embarrass a political foe, and then lying about it under oath.

bmoran@phillynews.com 215-854-5983 @RobertMoran215