PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The latest back-and-forth between Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and the state House committee handling an investigation into his office ends with a lot of sizzle, but no steak.
The DA’s office issued a statement on Krasner’s behalf, saying he’s formally accepting an invitation to testify before the House Select Investigative Committee on Friday. But House Republicans have said, in essence, “not so fast.”
Krasner was invited to testify in an executive session or behind closed doors. Krasner called that “curious.” His legal team responded, saying he’d be happy to answer questions, but only if the hearing were public.
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His lawyers said that such a closed-door meeting is “improper and unfair to the public, the District Attorney’s Office, and District Attorney Krasner, especially since his testimony involves matters of public concern.”
“Philadelphians and all Pennsylvanians who love democracy and cherish their right to vote deserve a transparent and public hearing, before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives takes any action,” Krasner added.
House Republican Caucus spokesman Jason Gottesman replied saying Krasner isn’t going to dictate terms and conditions or decide how the committee operates, so given his unwillingness to participate in executive session, there will be no hearing after all on Friday.
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“The chairman of the Select Committee offered the district attorney of Philadelphia an opportunity to provide testimony and take questions regarding the committee's ongoing investigation in an executive session. The district attorney rejected that offer,” Gottesman said.
Krasner has argued the committee is purely politics and an abuse of the impeachment process, trying to overturn the will of Philadelphia voters.
House Republicans point out that the resolution mandating the investigative committee was passed with bipartisan support.
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State Republicans began the effort to impeach Krasner in June. The committee is looking, in part, at how funds intended for law enforcement and crime victims are actually being spent.
Rep. Josh Kail, R-Monaca, said at the time that Krasner has “willfully ignored his constitutional duties” as district attorney and “willfully ignored the people of Philadelphia.”
The full House ruled him in contempt in September for failing to comply with a subpoena amid their impeachment effort.
The House is in session next week, before breaking until after the Nov. 8 election.