Federal Judge Refers Leftist Philly DA to DOJ for Criminal Investigation

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is in political hot water today after a federal judge referred him to the Department of Justice for a criminal investigation.

U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond, a George W. Bush appointee, believes Krasner and one of his top deputies, Matthew Stiegler, may have committed conspiracy, perjury, and/or obstruction of justice in relation to the appeal of a 2009 murder conviction.

#BREAKING A federal judge removed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner from a murder appeal case, citing possible false statements, perjury and obstruction of justice: https://t.co/3kZm4xwtga
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) September 15, 2026

Holy Guacamole: Judge Diamond *disqualified* Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner and a supervisor from their attempt to free a murderer. Diamond accuses both of "possible criminal wrongdoing." He refers both to the federal prosecutor's office. Huge win for @DaveSunday_, who stepped up pic.twitter.com/nxhZFuf7lh
— Eric W. (@EWess92) September 15, 2026

There's a lot to unpack from the judge's lengthy memorandum; we'll try to hit some of the highlights.

The ruling stems from a federal case involving Dennis Johnson, who was convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith. In 2022, the District Attorney's Office filed court documents stating that Johnson was entitled to habeas relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel.
Beginning in May, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond held a series of evidentiary hearings that included testimony about potential conflicts of interest within the District Attorney's Office.
According to court documents, four employees rejected a proposal they viewed as inappropriate and told Krasner that the case should be referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office because they believed conflicts of interest had developed following the involvement of a supervisor.
Krasner strongly opposed sending the case to the Attorney General's Office, arguing that someone needed to stay involved to "protect the office," and dismissed the suggestion that the Attorney General's Office handle the matter, according to court documents.
The prosecutors responded that protecting the office was itself the conflict because prosecutors should be focused on the merits of the case, not the office's interests.
Diamond described testimony regarding Krasner's alleged actions in the case as "troubling," according to court documents.

After Krasner *admitted* a conflict, the four supervisors wrote a letter referring the case to the Attorney General. Krasner was "apoplectic" "furious" and threatened that if the Court was notified that there "will be consequences." One thought that meant firing. pic.twitter.com/Ow3se06fhh
— Eric W. (@EWess92) September 15, 2026

Threatening consequences for employees who refuse to withhold information from the court was just the tip of the iceberg for the socialist solicitor. He was vehemently opposed to any involvement from the state attorney general's office, calling Attorney General David Sunday, a Republican, evil, and referring to members of his staff as Nazis.

What is DA Krasner like behind closed doors? Apparently he thinks of bipartisan-oriented moderate Republicans like General Sunday as "evil" (he keeps repeating it) and called everyone in the AG office "Nazis". Many were hired by Democrat former AG @JoshShapiroPA! That is nuts! pic.twitter.com/jTX6R7iiqg
— Eric W. (@EWess92) September 15, 2026

Calling David Sunday "evil" or referring to his employees as Nazis isn't illegal, but it does go a long way to reveal the character of a man who has built his reputation on resisting ICE, hating Trump, and bringing a general "criminal first" approach to Philadelphia's DA's office.

Of course, if you ask Krasner, he's the victim in this story.

Krasner released a statement on Tuesday in response to Diamond.
"I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law," Krasner wrote. "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."

He may be the only one who believes his own BS.

The judge should have disqualified the entire Phila District Attorney's office from this case. Sneeky Krasner will be breathing down the necks of the Assistant DAs assigned to this case now. The DOJ has a real opportunity to rid Philly of this compromised, corrupt DA.
— Jaded (@GGPA20680378) September 15, 2026

No one is surprised by this.
— Chocolate lab (@kabetogama1989) September 16, 2026

Larry Krasner is fully backed by Shapiro. Corrupt Philly Democrats stick together like dog sh*t on your shoe
— Chris McCarthy (@ChrisMcCarthy99) September 15, 2026

Shapiro is running for reelection and simultaneously eyeing a potential presidential run in 2028. If the DOJ brings criminal charges against Krasner, you can guarantee Shapiro will scrape him off the bottom of that shoe and put as much distance between them as humanly possible.

About time. Krasner is guilty as charged and should be punished. Thank you, federal judge - about time ONE of them did the job!
— MegaDryMartini (@Bourbonchez55) September 15, 2026