PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A federal judge just issued an alarming referral, recommending a criminal investigation against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. In a scathing 40-page memo issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond says testimony before his court raises the possibility that Krasner and a top deputy pressured prosecutors to lie in court. The referral stems from a 2009 case in which Dennis Johnson seeks to have his murder conviction dismissed. Philadelphia prosecutor Larry Krasner and Matthew Stiegler, head of the DAO’s Conviction Integrity Unit, reportedly began after a federal judge held hearings beginning in May into certain irregularities in the case, and it was discovered that there could be potential conflicts of interest. The memo says Stiegler and Krasner were urged to refer the case to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, but Krasner refused. Federal Judge Paul Diamond described Krasner’s actions as “Troubling” and may have urged his subordinates to “implement and present a false narrative to the court.” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Top Stories The judge has now referred Krasner to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for investigation. circumstances, with the issuance of this Memorandum, I refer the DAO, Mr. Krasner and Stiegler to the United States Attorney’s Office for this District for investigation and other appropriate action,” Judge Diamond wrote. In a statement, Krasner said: “I respectfully and strongly disagree with the court’s findings of fact and law. I hope to appeal to the higher court as soon as the law allows. to respond in the media.”Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All rights reserved.
