# DOJ Sends Grand Jury Subpoenas to Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner's Office After a Federal Judge's Referral, Sources Say

Two sources tell Fox the subpoenas concern possible obstruction of justice in cases before federal judges. Neither Krasner nor his top deputy has been charged, and Krasner says he will appeal the judge's findings.

- Section: [Politics](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/politics/)
- Published: 2026-10-21
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/doj-grand-jury-subpoenas-philadelphia-da-krasner-office/

The Justice Department has sent grand jury subpoenas to the office of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, according to Fox News.

Two sources briefed on the subpoenas told Fox they relate to potential obstruction of justice in the handling of cases before federal judges. They said the subpoenas followed a federal judge's referral of Krasner and his top deputy to the DOJ for possible criminal investigation. The sources were not named. Krasner's office did not immediately respond to Fox's request for comment, and the DOJ declined to comment.

Nobody is charged. Fox says neither Krasner, a Democrat, nor the deputy, Matthew Stiegler, has been charged.

The referral. More than a month ago, U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond referred the two men to the DOJ. He said evidence uncovered in a murder conviction case could constitute false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy. Diamond also disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the case but declined to disqualify the entire DA's office.

The judge's allegations. According to Fox, Diamond alleged that Krasner and Stiegler tried to pressure prosecutors into presenting a false narrative to the court. He also alleged that Krasner warned of "consequences" if staff told the court about 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.

The underlying case. The dispute stems from the case of Dennis Johnson, who was convicted in 2009 of killing Kenyatta Smith. Fox, citing The Associated Press, says the DA's office said in a 2022 filing that Johnson was entitled to habeas corpus relief based on ineffective assistance of counsel. Prosecutors later raised potential conflicts involving Stiegler and urged that the matter go to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Per the opinion Fox describes, Krasner opposed that move and repeatedly said someone from his office needed to stay involved to "protect the office."

Krasner's response. When the referral was made, he said in a statement: "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." We did not find a new statement from him about the subpoenas.

What we do not know. The subpoena report rests on anonymous sources. We have not seen the subpoenas, and Fox does not say what documents they seek or when they were served.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-sends-grand-jury-subpoenas-philadelphia-da-krasner-after-judges-referral-sources-say)