Federal Judge Refers Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner to DOJ for Investigation

A federal judge in Philadelphia has referred District Attorney Larry Krasner to the U.S. Department of Justice for investigation into whether he broke the law while overseeing a post-conviction case, according to court documents.

U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond disqualified Krasner and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Stiegler from participating in the case of Dennis Johnson, who is seeking to have his second-degree murder conviction overturned. The judge also took the unusual step of recommending that the Justice Department examine whether Krasner committed crimes including perjury and obstruction of justice.

In a memorandum referring the matter for "investigation and other appropriate action," Diamond said "troubling" conduct by Krasner and Stiegler had come to light during recent evidentiary hearings into how the district attorney's office handled the Johnson case. That conduct, the judge wrote, included allegedly pressuring staffers to lie to the court and threatening "consequences" for those who did not follow Krasner's orders.

"I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia's highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law," Diamond said.

Krasner said in a statement that he "respectfully and vigorously" disagrees with the decision. "I look forward to appealing to the higher court as soon as the law allows," he said, adding that he could not comment further because the case is pending. Stiegler did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania also did not immediately reply to inquiries about the potential investigation.

Johnson was convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith. In 2022, the district attorney's office filed a court document stating that Johnson was entitled to habeas relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel. Court records show that office employees told Krasner the case should be directed to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office because of potential conflicts of interest involving Stiegler. Krasner opposed that move, saying he needed to remain involved to "protect the office," according to the documents.

Johnson's petition remains on hold. Diamond said the district attorney's office could continue to handle the case, but it is not immediately clear which prosecutor might take it on.