A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a high ranking person in the Office of Attorney General who asked if I would consider bringing a Quo Warranto action to remove Attorney General Kathleen Kane from office. While I was asked to do so. I did not.

Under Pennsylvania law, generally, only a district attorney or the attorney general has the legal standing to bring such an action that seeks to remove a public official from office who no longer has the legal qualifications to hold such office.

I found it alarming high ranking OAG people thought things were so bad they openly were looking to have a coup regarding their boss.

Since then, however, the situation has gotten worse.

In my 24 years as district attorney, and my 35 years as a lawyer, I have never seen anything like this.

We have accusations of criminal conduct against the attorney general.

Counter charges by the attorney general of criminal conduct against judges and internal revolt by top OAG officials against their boss.

There have been calls for a federal investigation, and calls for independent prosecutors to try to find out what is actually going on.

The OAG is dysfunctional at this point. It is a mess and damage is being done to the foundation of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system.

Public confidence in the OAG as well as in our judges and courts are being eroded.

I never imagined it could get so bad. Although Ms. Kane continues to have the right of due process relative to the charges against her, it is imperative this matter come to a conclusion as quickly as possible.

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Editor’s note: John Morganelli is Pennsylvania’s current, most senior district attorney.

He is past president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and was the Democratic candidate for attorney general in 2008.