‘Sex-ting’ DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO RESIGN

It’s about as vile and pathetic a story as can be.  A domestic abuse victim in Wisconsin was prosecuting her ex-boyfriend on a strangulation charge. But in the midst of the trial, she was hit on by the much older and married DA who was prosecuting the case!

Wisconsin District Attorney Ken Kratz, who had been facing removal from office over accusations that he’s been using his position to seek relationships with women, will resign in lieu of facing legal charges. Outraged local officials and residents had demanded the Republican Kratz’ resignation since earlier this month.  That’s when The Associated Press reported on the “Sex-ting” text messages he sent to 26-year-old domestic abuse victim Stephanie Van Groll, while he was prosecuting her case.  In the illicit texts, he called Van Groll a “hot nymph” and asked if she was “the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA.”  Disgusting!

But hold on a second — it appears the perverted Kratz has been at this game before. An Oklahoma law student said she received similar texts from him in 2008 after Kratz assisted in her request for a pardon on a previous drug charge. Yet another woman complained that Kratz invited her on a date during an autopsy, while other anonymous women made similar allegations to a local newspaper and a civil rights attorney.

Late last Friday, the Office of Lawyer Regulation announced it would reopen an investigation into the allegations and determine whether Kratz committed professional misconduct. That office has been under heavy criticism after revelations that it was aware of the text messages back in March but declined to discipline Kratz, saying he hadn’t violated any rules.

The 50-year-old Kratz has since apologized for the text messages to Ms. Van Groll,  but has remained mostly silent on the accusations by the other women.  Kratz will resign from the District Attorney’s office as of October 8th.