Federal Judge Calls for DOJ Investigation of Philly DA Krasner

WHO:

6abc Philadelphia - Matthew Stiegler, Chief of the DAO's Conviction Integrity Unit, is involved in the case against Krasner.

Fox News - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner

NBC News - Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner

Alternet - President Donald Trump, Attorney General Letitia James, Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, Attorney General Henry Whitaker, former FBI Director James Comey

WHAT:

CNN - Judge Paul Diamond stated that the credible evidence against Krasner is "tantamount to a prima facie showing of conduct that may constitute false statements, false declarations made under oath, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy."

NBC News - The judge disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the underlying case due to the alleged misconduct.

6abc Philadelphia - Krasner was described as "apoplectic" when presented with a draft letter referring the case to the attorney general's office.

NY Post - Krasner allegedly stated that the Pennsylvania attorney general's office was "evil" and referred to its members as "Nazis."

6abc Philadelphia - U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued a 40-page memo stating that Krasner and Stiegler may have pressured prosecutors to lie in court.

6abc Philadelphia - Judge Diamond described Krasner's actions as "troubling" and indicated that he might have urged his subordinates to "implement and present a false narrative to the court."

NY Post - Judge Diamond referred Krasner to the Justice Department for investigation into whether he violated the law while trying to get a 2009 murder conviction thrown out.

6abc Philadelphia - U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond issued a 40-page memo stating that testimony raises the possibility that Krasner and a top deputy may have pressured prosecutors to lie in court.

6abc Philadelphia - The referral to the U.S. Attorney's Office for investigation was made due to concerns that Krasner and his deputy may have violated the law.

6abc Philadelphia - The referral stems from a 2009 case involving Dennis Johnson, who is seeking to have his murder conviction thrown out.

Fox News - A federal judge referred Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and a top deputy to the DOJ for possible perjury and false statements.

NBC News - The judge indicated that Krasner may have committed crimes in his handling of a post-conviction case.

Alternet - The DOJ is struggling to revive its prosecution of Attorney General Letitia James, which was dismissed.

WHERE:

Fox News - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Alternet - Eastern District of Virginia

WHEN:

Fox News - The referral to the DOJ occurred on a Tuesday.

Alternet - The dismissal of James' prosecution occurred in November.

WHY:

6abc Philadelphia - The referral stems from a 2009 case involving Dennis Johnson, who is seeking to have his murder conviction thrown out, and concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

6abc Philadelphia - Judge Diamond described Krasner's actions as "troubling" and indicated that he might have urged his subordinates to "implement and present a false narrative to the court."

Fox News - The referral was made due to possible perjury and false statements by Krasner.

Alternet - The dismissal of James' prosecution was based on the argument that the top prosecutor did not have the right to lead the indictment.

HOW:

CNN - Krasner allegedly directed senior prosecutors to blame a junior prosecutor for errors in the case, stating he wanted to "protect the office" rather than focus on the merits of the case.

6abc Philadelphia - The problems for Krasner and Stiegler allegedly started after a federal judge held hearings starting in May about certain improprieties on the case.

6abc Philadelphia - The judge noted that Krasner refused to refer the case to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General despite being urged to do so.

Alternet - Attorney General Henry Whitaker argued that the three-judge panel should respect grand juries' decisions and revive indictments against James and Comey.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 23:04 UTC)

A judge has disqualified Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and his deputy, Stiegler, from a case due to serious allegations of misconduct, which the judge described as potentially involving false statements, perjury, and conspiracy. Krasner reportedly reacted with anger when presented with a draft letter that would refer the matter to the attorney general's office, calling the office "evil" and its members "Nazis." Allegations also suggest that Krasner directed senior prosecutors to shift blame onto a junior colleague instead of addressing the actual issues in the case.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:06 UTC)

U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond has issued a detailed memo indicating that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Matthew Stiegler, Chief of the DAO's Conviction Integrity Unit, may have pressured prosecutors to provide false testimony in court. Judge Diamond described Krasner's actions as "troubling" and has referred him to the Justice Department for investigation regarding a 2009 murder conviction case involving Dennis Johnson, who is seeking to have his conviction overturned. The scrutiny began after a federal judge held hearings starting in May that raised concerns about potential improprieties in the case.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:24 UTC)

U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond has issued a 40-page memo suggesting that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and a top deputy may have pressured prosecutors to lie in court, raising serious legal concerns. This referral to the U.S. Attorney's Office for investigation is linked to a 2009 case involving Dennis Johnson, who is attempting to have his murder conviction overturned. Judge Diamond described Krasner's actions as "troubling," noting that he declined to refer the case to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, despite recommendations to do so.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:58 UTC)

A federal judge has referred Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and a top deputy to the Department of Justice for possible perjury and false statements related to his handling of a post-conviction case. Meanwhile, the DOJ is facing challenges in reviving its prosecution of Attorney General Letitia James, which was dismissed in November due to claims that she lacked the authority to lead the indictment. Attorney General Henry Whitaker has urged a three-judge panel to respect grand juries' decisions and reconsider the indictments against both James and former FBI Director James Comey.