# Soros-Backed Philly DA Referred to DOJ Over Murder Case

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/soros-backed-philly-da-referred-to-doj-over-murder-case
- Published: 2026-09-16T07:07:52.045632+00:00
- Topics: criminal-justice, larry-krasner, philadelphia, judiciary, prosecutorial-conduct

## What the left says
- The judge's referral involves serious but unproven allegations, and neither Krasner nor Stiegler has been charged with any crime.
- Conviction Integrity Units exist specifically to review potentially flawed convictions, and Krasner's office maintains it acted to correct what it saw as ineffective legal representation for the defendant.
- Krasner has publicly and firmly disputed the judge's findings of fact and law, and intends to appeal the ruling to a higher court before any conclusions are treated as settled.
- Krasner's broader career as a civil rights attorney and reform-minded prosecutor has long drawn political attacks from opponents of criminal justice reform, and this referral fits a pattern of scrutiny directed at his office.

## What the right says
- A federal judge concluded there is evidence Krasner and his deputy pressured prosecutors to present a false narrative to the court, which the judge said could amount to criminal conspiracy.
- The judge cited evidence that Krasner warned staff of 'consequences' if they alerted the court to an internal conflict, raising concerns about intimidation within his own office.
- Krasner's office pushed back against career prosecutors who wanted the case referred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General due to a conflict, with Krasner insisting his office stay involved to 'protect the office.'
- Krasner's Soros-funded rise to office and history of lenient prosecutorial policies make this referral part of a broader pattern critics say reflects poor judgment and prioritizing ideology over rule of law.

## Common ground
- U.S. District Judge Paul Diamond Jr. referred Larry Krasner and deputy Matthew Stiegler to the U.S. Attorney's Office for possible investigation into obstruction of justice, perjury, false statements, and conspiracy.
- The case centers on Dennis Johnson, convicted in 2009 of second-degree murder, whose conviction Krasner's office sought to overturn through its Conviction Integrity Unit.
- Diamond disqualified Krasner and Stiegler from further involvement in the case but did not disqualify the entire DA's office.
- Krasner has denied wrongdoing, disputes the judge's findings, and plans to appeal the decision to a higher court.

## Sources
- [Blaze Media](https://www.theblaze.com/news/soros-da-justice-obstruction-philly) (Right)
- [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-refers-philadelphia-da-larry-krasner-doj-possible-criminal-investigation) (Right)
- [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/congress/judge-refers-philadelphia-da-larry-krasner-federal-prosecution?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right)
- [NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-requests-federal-probe-philly-da-larry-krasner-rcna598021) (Lean Left)
- [Newsmax](https://www.newsmax.com/politics/philadelphia-district-attorney-larry-krasner/2026/09/15/id/1269554) (Right)
- [Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/sean-payton-unlikely-to-make-big-change-broncos-fans-are-demanding-12447605) (Lean Right)
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/09/15/fed-judge-referred-soros-backed-philly-da-to-doj-for-possible-criminal-investigation-n2206976) (Unknown)
- [Washington Times](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/15/federal-judge-refers-philadelphias-district-attorney-larry-krasner/) (Right)

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