Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is facing potentially serious trouble after a federal judge referred him and his top deputy to the Department of Justice for a possible criminal investigation.
U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond made the referral Tuesday.
It covers Krasner and Matthew Stiegler, whom the source identifies as Krasner’s top deputy.
The referral emerged from evidence uncovered in a murder conviction case. Diamond said that evidence could constitute false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
Those are four serious possibilities for a federal judge to identify in connection with the conduct at issue.
Diamond’s language immediately raised the stakes surrounding the case and the two prosecutors.
At the same time, neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged.
The matter remains a referral for a possible criminal investigation, not an announcement of criminal charges against either man.
That distinction does not make the development routine.
A sitting federal judge formally sending concerns involving a district attorney and his top deputy to the Department of Justice is a significant step.
Diamond also disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from the murder conviction case.
His decision therefore removed both men personally from further participation in that particular matter.
The judge did not disqualify the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office as a whole.
That leaves open the possibility that another person from the office could take over the case.
The scope of the ruling is notable.
Diamond targeted Krasner and Stiegler while stopping short of removing the entire office, even as he forwarded the evidence for possible federal examination.
Krasner responded with a statement disputing Diamond’s findings and conclusions.
He also signaled that he intends to pursue an appeal when legally permitted.
“I respectfully and vigorously disagree with the court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law,” Krasner said.
“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’s statement was forceful but limited.
He rejected the court’s findings, pointed toward a higher court and cited the pending status of the matter as a restriction on further public comment.
The referral and disqualification now stand as the central developments.
Diamond identified conduct that he said could fit multiple potential criminal categories, then removed the two men from the underlying case.
It also does not describe any decision by the department about what steps, if any, will follow the referral.
WATCH:
Krasner had already attracted negative attention last month over separate remarks involving the White House ballroom being built.
He talked about destroying the ballroom after Trump is out of office.
Krasner discussed that destruction taking place during an “official ceremony.”
WATCH:
That controversy was separate from the murder conviction case and Diamond’s referral to federal authorities.
The latest episode is far more consequential than another round of political rhetoric.
It places Krasner and his top deputy under the shadow of a possible criminal investigation based on evidence identified by a federal judge.
For Krasner, the path he publicly outlined is an appeal to a higher court as soon as the law permits.
For now, however, Diamond’s findings, the disqualifications and the Department of Justice referral remain in place.
The facts currently reported are stark: two prosecutors were removed from a case, possible criminal conduct was identified and the matter was sent to federal authorities.
Yet neither man has been charged.
Krasner is vigorously contesting the court’s conclusions, but the judge’s action has created a formidable legal problem for the Soros backed Philadelphia district attorney and his top deputy.
