subject: You Sexy Thing Says the DA to the Crime Victim [print this page] When someone mentions sexual harassment, we usually think of incidents at work between a manager and a subordinate (think Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky) or among co-workers. Sexual harassment can occur in all types of contexts, however, and it is still illegal. Take the case of Wisconsin District Attorney Ken Kratz. Kratz has been the DA of Calumet County, Wisconsin for 18 years and Chair of the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board. These days, he is in big trouble.Records just made public showed that Kratz sent multiple text messages to Stephanie Van Groll. At the time, Kratz' office was prosecuting Van Groll's ex-boyfriend for attempting to strangle her. Over 3 days, Kratz sent the woman approximately 30 texts. In his defense, he claims the texts were "respectful" and not sexual. Most people would likely disagree.Kratz (age 50 and married), asked in one text if Van Grall (age 26) was the "kind of girl who likes secret contact with an older married elected DA." In another he called her a "hot, young nymph."Van Grall, already the victim of the strangulation case, was afraid that Kratz would dismiss the strangulation charges against the ex-boyfriend if she did not submit to his advances. Instead of giving in, however, she went to the police.The story already sounds bad for Kratz but there is more. Immediately after the texts were released to the public, two other victims came forward.One claimed that she was contacted by Kratz through a popular dating website. Kratz invited her to attend an autopsy and asked her appear at the autopsy in a short skirt. She declined.A third victim of Kratz's inappropriate behavior has surfaced. She claims that Kratz offered to help her get a criminal conviction expunged from her record in exchange for a date.Many chapters in the saga have already been written but this story is far from over. The office that regulates lawyers, the state Attorney General, governor's office and the local police have all become involved. Ultimately a judge and the voters of Calumet County may also get some say.Initially, the Office of Lawyer Regulation declined to take action but after a public outcry and a press conference by Kratz in which he resolved to seek reelection, the state bar regulators decided to investigate further. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has already commenced removal proceedings.According to press reports, Kratz still believes he did nothing wrong.
