Philadelphia Prosecutors Resigned Following Court Dispute
Two supervisors stepped down after District Attorney Larry Krasner refused to correct statements in federal filings.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Supervisors Katherine Ernst and Steven Wildberger resigned from the Philadelphia District Attorney's office on October 6, 2026. The departures followed a dispute over federal court filings submitted by District Attorney Larry Krasner regarding a murder conviction.
Why it matters
The resignations underscore a deepening conflict within the office over professional conduct and the accuracy of public court submissions. The situation has drawn federal judicial scrutiny that could have broader implications for the office's integrity.
Supervisors Katherine Ernst and Steven Wildberger resigned on October 6, 2026, after their requests to correct federal filings were denied. The U.S. Attorney's Office is now reviewing a referral from U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond.
The players
Larry Krasner
He is the District Attorney of Philadelphia who is currently overseeing a public dispute regarding his office's federal court filings.
Paul S. Diamond
He is a U.S. District Court Judge who is presiding over the murder conviction case of Dennis Johnson and has referred matters to federal prosecutors.
Katherine Ernst
She is a former supervisor in the law division of the Philadelphia District Attorney's office who resigned over filing disputes.
Steven Wildberger
He is a former supervisor in the law division of the Philadelphia District Attorney's office who resigned alongside his colleague.
Matthew Stiegler
He is a former supervisor in the Philadelphia District Attorney's office who stepped down from his position during the same period.
The details
Ernst and Wildberger, who served in the law division, requested corrections to federal documents they alleged contained inaccurate statements about their professional actions. After District Attorney Larry Krasner declined these requests and accused the pair of insubordination, both officials submitted their resignations.
Timeline
Dennis Johnson was convicted of murder in 2009.
Judge Diamond held hearings on court filing errors in summer 2026.
Krasner submitted federal filings during the week of September 28, 2026.
Ernst and Wildberger sent a correction request on October 5, 2026.
The resignations of the two prosecutors took effect on October 6, 2026.
Legal Context
The resignations follow a broader pattern of internal turnover linked to the Dennis Johnson murder conviction appeal. These departures highlight how disputes over trial evidence and procedural accuracy can lead to significant administrative friction within the District Attorney's office.
The potential criminal investigation into office conduct may lead to increased scrutiny and delays in pending legal cases in Philadelphia. Residents may observe changes in court scheduling or personnel as the U.S. Attorney's Office evaluates the judge's referral.
The takeaway
The sudden departure of two senior supervisors signals significant instability within the leadership of the District Attorney's office. This situation serves as a reminder of how internal office disagreements can stall the progress of long-standing criminal cases.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Criminal Justice section.
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