Judge refers Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner to DOJ for criminal investigation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A federal judge has just issued an alarming referral, recommending a criminal investigation into Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.

In a stinging 40-page memo handed down Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond says that testimony before his court raises the possibility that Krasner and a top deputy may have pressured prosecutors to lie in court.

The referral stems from a 2009 case in which Dennis Johnson is seeking to have his murder conviction thrown out.

The problems for Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and Matthew Stiegler, Chief of the DAO’s Conviction Integrity Unit, allegedly started after a federal judge held hearings starting in May about certain improprieties on the case, and it was uncovered there may be potential conflicts of interest.

The memo says Stiegler and Krasner were urgedto refer the case to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, but that Krasner refused.

Federal Judge Paul Diamond described Krasner’s actions as “troubling” and might’ve urged his subordinates to “implement and present a false narrative to the court.”

The judge has now referred Krasner to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for investigation.

“I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law. In these circumstances, with the issuance of this Memorandum, I refer the DAO, Mr. Krasner, and Stiegler to this District’s United States Attorney’s Office for investigation and other appropriate action,” Judge Diamond wrote.

In a statement, Krasner said, “I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law. I look forward to appealing to the higher court as soon as the law allows. This remains a pending matter, which limits for now my and my office’s ability to respond in the media.”