WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • The Justice Department sent grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner following a federal judge’s criminal referral.
  • Judge Paul Diamond raised concerns about possible false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy involving Krasner and Matthew Stiegler.
  • The allegations arose during federal proceedings involving Dennis Johnson’s effort to overturn his murder conviction.
  • Neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged, and the Justice Department declined to comment.

The Justice Department has sent grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, adding serious federal scrutiny to the legal troubles surrounding his office. Krasner received a criminal referral in September over allegations connected to the handling of a murder conviction case.

The dispute stems from federal proceedings involving Dennis Johnson, who sought to have his murder conviction overturned. Johnson was sentenced to life for the 2007 murder of Kenyatta Smith during a robbery at a North Philadelphia convenience store.

U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued a 40-page memorandum after hearing testimony from multiple employees of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. That testimony raised concerns about Krasner and Conviction Integrity Unit chief Matthew Stiegler.

Diamond concluded that Krasner and Stiegler may have threatened consequences for staff members who raised conflicts. He also found that prosecutors may have been pressured to present false narratives during proceedings related to Johnson’s conviction.

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The testimony further raised the possibility of perjury, false statements, and obstruction of justice, according to Diamond’s findings. The judge disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case and referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for investigation.

Two sources briefed on the subpoenas said they concern potential obstruction of justice involving the handling of cases before federal judges. They said the subpoenas followed Diamond’s referral of Krasner and his top deputy to the Justice Department for a possible criminal investigation.

Reports of the subpoenas emerged more than a month after Diamond referred Krasner and Stiegler to the Justice Department. The judge said evidence uncovered during the murder conviction proceedings could constitute false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

Neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged. Krasner’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the Justice Department declined to comment.

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The allegations place a harsh spotlight on how Krasner’s office handled the Johnson proceedings and how its leadership allegedly treated prosecutors who raised concerns. Diamond’s memorandum centered on testimony given in his own courtroom, not merely outside complaints about the office.

Cully Stimson, a legal fellow with the Heritage Foundation, argued that the referral could be only the beginning of scrutiny surrounding the Conviction Integrity Unit. He also sharply criticized Stiegler’s leadership of that unit.

“And I think this is the tip of the iceberg, because remember in that referral, in that 40-page opinion by the judge, they talked about Stiegler, one of the henchmen who works for Krasner,” Stimson said.

“And he ran the Conviction Integrity Unit, but what it really was was the 'Get Out of Jail Free Card' Unit.”

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Stimson also criticized the unit’s handling of murder convictions and its relationship with the Innocence Project. He tied those complaints to Krasner’s political rise and his description of himself after winning the election.

“They unwound dozens and dozens of solid murder convictions when they were in bed with the Innocence Project,” Stimson continued.

“And Krasner was elected in 2017 with $1.5 million of Soros money the first time; he said at his victory party that he was a ... a public defender with power. That's how he views himself. So I think there's going to be a lot of unspooling of this other stuff in the Conviction Integrity Unit.”

Krasner has vowed to appeal and is expected to fight the matter. For now, however, the subpoenas represent a concrete federal step following Diamond’s referral and the concerns detailed in his memorandum.

The investigation remains focused on possible criminal conduct connected to cases handled before federal judges. With neither man charged and the Justice Department declining comment, the subpoenas mark the latest development rather than a final resolution.

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