DOJ subpoenas Philadelphia DA Krasner after judge's referral

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:20 · Archive

The Justice Department has subpoenaed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office following a judge's referral for possible criminal investigation.

The Justice Department sent grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office in recent days, relating to potential obstruction of justice. The subpoenas came after U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond referred Krasner and his top deputy, Matthew Stiegler, to the DOJ for possible criminal investigation over their handling of a murder conviction case. Neither man has been charged.

The investigation concerns Dennis Johnson, convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith during a 2007 robbery. In November 2022, Krasner's office filed a petition for Johnson's release, claiming he received inadequate counsel. In June this year, it moved to withdraw the petition due to what it called 'material misstatements'. According to the New York Post, Krasner's office allegedly sought to blame a since-resigned assistant district attorney, Jaclyn Mason, for the misstatements.

Judge Diamond alleged that Krasner and Stiegler sought to pressure prosecutors into presenting a false narrative to the court and that Krasner warned of 'consequences' if staff alerted the court to an internal conflict. The judge disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case but declined to disqualify the entire DA's office. Krasner's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

How it is being reported

• Feds subpoena Soros-backed Philly DA Larry Krasner after judge’s referral over pressure campaignIn a stunning memo, Diamond wrote he “reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law” after hearing testimonyNew York Post · 20 Oct, 16:04
• DOJ sends grand jury subpoenas to Philadelphia DA Krasner after judge's referral, sources sayThe Justice Department sent grand jury subpoenas to Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's office in recent days, Fox News has learned. Two sources briefed on the subpoenas say they are related to potential obstruction of justice relating to the handling of cases before federal…Fox News · 20 Oct, 13:49

In this story: Larry Krasner · Matthew Stiegler · Paul Diamond · Dennis Johnson · Philadelphia District Attorney's office · Department of Justice · Philadelphia

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