DOJ Subpoenas Philadelphia DA Krasner Over Judicial Referral

The Department of Justice has issued grand jury subpoenas to the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, according to sources familiar with the matter. The subpoenas are reportedly connected to potential obstruction of justice concerning cases handled before federal judges.

The Justice Department's action follows a referral from a federal judge who previously recommended Krasner and his top deputy, Matthew Stiegler, for a possible criminal investigation. U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond made the referral after evidence emerged in a murder conviction case that he stated could constitute false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.

Diamond disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from that specific case, citing allegations that they sought to pressure prosecutors into presenting a false narrative to the court. The judge also noted that Krasner had allegedly warned of "consequences" if his staff alerted the court to an internal conflict. Diamond wrote that he had "reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law."

Neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged with a crime. Krasner's office has not yet responded to a request for comment, and the DOJ declined to comment on the matter.

The case that triggered the referral involved Dennis Johnson, who was convicted in 2009 of murder. The District Attorney's office filed a motion in 2022 stating that Johnson was entitled to habeas relief due to ineffective assistance of counsel, according to The Associated Press. Subsequently, prosecutors raised concerns about potential conflicts involving Stiegler, and the matter was referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

Krasner had previously stated his strong disagreement with the judge's findings, expressing his intention to appeal. He noted at the time that the pending nature of the matter limited his office's ability to comment publicly.