Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Saylor swearing in Bruce Beemer Tuesday.
Credit: PA Internet News Service
Pennsylvania has a new top law enforcer after a tumultuous summer.
Bruce Beemer, a Democrat, was sworn in during a private ceremony by Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Saylor Tuesday following the Pennsylvania Senate voting to confirm him to fill the attorney general seat. His term will end on January 17 when the elected successor to the seat is sworn in.
The 47-year-old former assistant district attorney from western Pennsylvania served as chief of staff for former Republican Attorney General Linda Kelly before becoming first deputy for Kane, who he later testified against during a grand jury investigation and at her criminal trial.
Beemer’s new role will be to restore stability and integrity to the attorney general’s office that has been racked with scandals. He also comes into the job as a report into pornographic and offensive emails sent on state computers in being prepared.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but I look forward to do doing that each and every day,” Beemer told reporters, according to the Associated Press. “It’s going to be sort of like putting building blocks one on top of each other. Every day we’re going to try to make things a little bit better.”
Wolf, who attended the private swearing in ceremony in the state capitol building, affirmed his support for Beemer, who recently served as the state inspector general.
“Bruce Beemer has the unique experience and skillset as a prosecutor, lawyer and administrator to begin the healing necessary to put the Attorney General’s office back on track. He is trusted by the rank-and-file members of the office and understands better than anyone what must be fixed to restore the public trust. I thank the Senate for their swift confirmation and vote of confidence in Bruce, and I look forward to his continued public service to the people of Pennsylvania as Attorney General,” Wolf said.
Kane was convicted crimes including perjury and obstruction of the administration of law earlier this month. The one-term attorney general will be sentenced in October.
Republican Bruce Castor, Kane’s first deputy, served as the acting attorney general following Kane’s resignation this month.
