WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Justice Department has issued subpoenas to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s (D) office, according to a report.
Two anonymous sources briefed on the subpoenas told Fox News that the office received them in recent days. The subpoenas are regarding potential obstruction of justice related to the handling of cases before federal judges. According to the sources, the subpoenas were the result of a federal judge referring Krasner and his deputy, Matthew Stiegler, to the DOJ for a possible criminal investigation.
Krasner’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment, and the DOJ declined to comment.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, referred Krasner and Stiegler to the DOJ to be investigated for allegedly giving false statements and committing perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy in a murder conviction case.
Neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged. Diamond disqualified both of them from the murder conviction case of Dennis Johnson, but declined to disqualify the entire DA’s office. Johnson’s petition remains on hold, but it is unclear which prosecutor might take it on.
Johnson was convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith, The Associated Press reported. In 2022, Krasner’s office stated in a court filing that Johnson was entitled to habeas relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel.
According to court documents, DA employees told Krasner that the case should be directed to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office due to potential conflicts of interest involving Stiegler. Krasner disagreed, saying he needed to stay involved in the case to “protect the office,” per the documents.
Diamond alleged that Krasner and Stiegler sought to pressure prosecutors in the DA’s office into presenting a false narrative to the court. Krasner allegedly warned of “consequences” if staff informed the court of an internal conflict.
“I have thus reluctantly concluded that Philadelphia’s highest law enforcement official and one of his top assistants may have violated the law,” Diamond wrote.
In a statement at the time, 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.”
Krasner has previously received substantial support from billionaire Democratic donor George Soros. The billionaire contributed nearly $1.7 million to Krasner’s first run for DA, according to campaign finance reports.