Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has responded to a lawsuit by her former criminal appeals chief, denying she told her senior deputies she wanted to fire the chief and denying the alleged reasons for his termination.

In Kane's response to James Barker's federal suit for violation of his First Amendment and due process rights, Kane said she was entitled to qualified and civil immunity in the suit. She also alleged as affirmative defenses that Barker failed to mitigate his damages and that his complaint was barred because he was acting pursuant to his official duties.

Barker said he was fired days after a newspaper article revealed he testified before the grand jury investigating Kane. Barker said in his complaint that his testimony “contradicted Kane's defense” and was ultimately used by the grand jury in recommending criminal charges be filed against Kane.