Judge Flags Perjury – DA Ousted

District Attorney office wall sign — Photo: Castleski / Shutterstock

A federal judge’s referral naming possible crimes against Philadelphia’s top prosecutor has now drawn reported grand jury subpoenas to his office.

Story Snapshot

A federal judge referred District Attorney Larry Krasner and a deputy to prosecutors and removed them from a murder case.
The judge’s memo flagged possible false statements, perjury, obstruction, and conspiracy tied to post-conviction litigation.
Reporting says the Department of Justice sent grand jury subpoenas to the office after the referral, citing potential obstruction in cases before federal judges.
No charges have been filed; the referral and subpoenas signal inquiry, not guilt.

Judge’s Referral Names Possible Crimes And Disqualifies Prosecutors

On September 15, 2026, United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond referred Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, senior deputy Matthew Stiegler, and the District Attorney’s Office to federal prosecutors. The judge also removed Krasner and Stiegler from the case at issue. The referral cited possible false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. The order stemmed from hearings tied to a post-conviction fight in a 2009 murder case involving defendant Dennis Johnson.

Reports describe a forty-page memorandum that relied on testimony presented in court. According to coverage, the judge said staff faced pressure to give false statements and risked consequences if they did not comply. The Associated Press summarized those claims while noting the referral itself is not a charge. Krasner said he “respectfully and vigorously” disagreed with the findings and planned to appeal when possible under the rules.

Grand Jury Subpoenas Reportedly Follow The Court’s Action

After the referral, news outlets reported that the Department of Justice sent grand jury subpoenas to the District Attorney’s Office. Two sources briefed on the matter told reporters the subpoenas related to possible obstruction of justice in cases before federal judges. The reports linked the subpoenas to Judge Diamond’s referral in the Johnson case. Officials have not announced charges, and the office did not release the subpoenas publicly.

Additional coverage echoed that the subpoenas targeted records or testimony tied to the same cluster of issues. One outlet framed the service as a federal step to compel information, which often marks an early stage in an inquiry. The reports did not list subpoena numbers, demands, or dates, which is common in grand jury matters that stay confidential until filed with a court.

The Underlying Case And Why It Matters Beyond Philadelphia

The dispute centers on Dennis Johnson’s effort to overturn his conviction for the 2009 killing of Kenyatta Smith. Johnson was found guilty of second-degree murder, robbery, and a firearms offense. Reports say the District Attorney’s Office first supported the post-conviction bid and later reversed course after staff found problems in earlier work. That reversal became part of the judge’s concerns about accuracy and candor before the court.

Across the country, conviction integrity work and claims of prosecutorial misconduct often collide. Research shows many offices have formed conviction integrity units to review old cases. These units can clear the innocent but also expose past errors. Scholars have found that formal referrals for discipline are rare, even when courts find serious discovery violations. That history explains why a federal referral naming possible crimes stands out.

What This Means For Accountability And Public Trust

Judicial referrals and grand jury subpoenas signal that facts will be tested under oath and on paper. They do not prove intent or guilt. If prosecutors pressured staff to mislead a court, that would cut against the rule of law that both conservatives and liberals say they want. If the facts show judgment calls, not lies, that will matter too. For now, the judge removed two leaders from the case, and federal prosecutors are seeking records.

🚨 IT'S OFFICIAL: Trump DOJ just fired off GRAND JURY SUBPOENAS to Soros Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, after a federal judge caught him possibly committing PERJURY and OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

This is a RARE move and just goes to show how much deep sht he's in.

The referral came…

— MR X (@TheMrXGuy1) October 20, 2026

People across the spectrum worry that elites bend rules while regular citizens pay the price. This case touches that nerve. A city’s top prosecutor faces questions about truthfulness in a murder appeal. The stakes are simple: courts need real facts to do justice. The best next step is daylight through documents and testimony. That is how the system should work when power is on the line, not just when a defendant is.