Kenneth Kratz

UPDATE, April 1, 2011: Documents detail women's claims against ex-DA
________________

UPDATE, March 28, 2011: Ex-Wis. prosecutor won't face charges over sexting

Investigators determined Ken Kratz committed misconduct but no crime.
________________

UPDATE, October 4, 2010: Kratz Resigns
________________


Note: Scroll down for updates.

Kenneth Kratz, the Calumet County district attorney, has been behaving badly.

Calumet County's district attorney tried to start a relationship with a domestic violence victim by sending her 30 text messages over three days while he was prosecuting her ex-boyfriend.

...Kratz said in a statement Wednesday that he was "embarrassed at this lapse of judgment" but that the state Office of Lawyer Regulation determined that no professional misconduct had occurred.

Keith Sellen, director of the regulation office, said he is prohibited from confirming Kratz's statement.

Earlier Wednesday, Kratz told The Associated Press, which first reported on the text messages, that the situation was "a non-news story." E-mails released by the state show that Kratz wrote to Department of Justice officials that his texts were not sexual in nature and that he was concerned about keeping news of the texts out of the media.

Kratz had gained attention for his prosecution of Steven Avery, who was convicted in 2007 of killing freelance photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005. She died two years after Avery was released from prison based upon DNA evidence that cleared him of involvement in a sexual assault.

Kratz also prosecuted four women who were charged last year with luring a man to a motel and gluing his penis to his abdomen as revenge for his cheating on one of them.

According to the police report, Kratz, 50, began sending text messages to Stephanie L. Van Groll, 26, after she met with him Oct. 20 regarding domestic abuse charges that had been filed against her ex-boyfriend. Van Groll reported the text messages to Kaukauna police two days later.

I disagree with Kratz. This is not a "non-news story." Kratz was abusive toward a victim he should have been helping.

Van Groll reported the text messages to police just two days after the harassment occurred. She clearly found the texts to be out of line and was concerned their impact on her case.

Apparently, Kratz can handle embarrassment. He won't resign as a result of the revelations.

A Wisconsin prosecutor known for two decades as an advocate for crime victims says he is embarrassed about sending sexually suggestive text messages to a choking victim while he was prosecuting her ex-boyfriend, but will remain in office.

Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth Kratz issued that statement Wednesday after The Associated Press reported on the 30 texts he sent to a 26-year-old woman who had complained to police last year. A police report shows he repeatedly sent Stephanie Van Groll text messages in October 2009 trying to spark an affair.

"Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA ... the riskier the better?" Kratz, 50, wrote in one message. In another, he wrote: "I would not expect you to be the other woman. I would want you to be so hot and treat me so well that you'd be THE woman! R U that good?"

Kratz was prosecuting Van Groll's ex-boyfriend on charges he nearly choked her to death last year. He also was veteran chair of the Wisconsin Crime Victims' Rights Board, a quasi-judicial agency that can reprimand judges, prosecutors and police officers who mistreat crime victims.

Perhaps I'm misinterpreting Kratz's message, but 'I would want you to be so hot and treat me so well that you'd be THE woman! R U that good?' sounds sexual in nature to me.

..."I have never been the subject of attorney discipline during my entire 25-year career, and until today, have enjoyed a spotless reputation as a vigorous advocate for crime victims," he said.

Van Groll told police in Kaukauna, Wis., where she lived, that she felt pressured to have a relationship with Kratz or he would drop charges against her ex-boyfriend.

Kratz said he "immediately removed himself" from the prosecution after learning about the complaint, and the state Department of Justice took over. Kratz said he resigned from the crime victims board, which he helped create, after more than a decade as chair as a "self-imposed sanction." He and his wife filed for divorce last December.

"Self-imposed sanction"?

Oh, come on. I don't think that "sanction" adequately addresses the matter.

"Nothing really happened to him and I had three days of hell," Van Groll said in a phone interview with the AP. "They gave him a slap on the wrist and told him not to do it again. If it was anybody else that did something like this, they'd lose their job."

Domestic violence experts called Kratz's text messages disturbing and unethical for several reasons, including the power differential between a prosecutor and a younger abuse victim.

"If what's being alleged is true, it's sad a prosecutor would use the same sort of power and control over a woman who has already experienced that in her personal life," said Patti Seger, executive director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Kratz's behavior is terribly disturbing.

Sending THIRTY text messages in three days to a crime victim when he should have been focusing on prosecuting her ex-boyfriend isn't a minor momentary lapse in judgment.

Did Kratz just snap on this one occasion with Van Groll or has this been a pattern with him? It's possible he treated other victims the same way and they didn't come forward and file complaints.

Such an incredible lack of respect for a victim of abuse is inexcusable.

In Van Groll's case, Kratz became part of the problem.

FOX 11 has the Ken Kratz text messages:

Kratz: It was nice talking with you! Feel free to text me (between 8 and 4) if you are bored. You have such potential. See ya. KEN (your favorite DA).

Kratz: I'm not worried...well maybe just a little. I'm more curious what made me text you?

Kratz: Ok. We'll go with that answer. Thanks for putting up with me so far. I wish you weren't one of this office's clients. You'd be a cool person to know!

Kratz: No text yet today? I'm feeling ignored. Are you even up yet?

Kratz: Oh no. I hope you feel better. Do you need me to bring some chicken soup.

Kratz: I can do, but you are awfully sweet. Just don't tell anyone, ok?

Kratz: Seriously I hope you feel better soon. Please keep in touch. Its maybe not the wisest thing

Kratz: How about a margarita? That has some fruit juice in it!

Kratz: I know this is wrong. I am such a honest guy, and straight shooter...but I have to know more about you. Does that make sense to you? I bet u get this a lot!

Kratz: Are u the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA...the riskier the better? Or do you want to stop right now before any issues?

Kratz: I need direction from you. Yes you are a risk taker and can keep your mouth shut and you think this is fun. or you think a man twice your age is creepy so stop

Kratz: Ok. No problem. Either way I think you are very nice. I am very smart, but know this is ALL up to you and really does depend how close to the edge you live!

Kratz: Still wondering if I'm worth it?

Kratz: Can I help you answer any questions?

Kratz: You don't say much, do you?

Kratz: When you are that pretty, I guess you don't have to! (now the compliments start).

Kratz: Its true. Why would such a successful, respected attorney be actling like he's in 7th grade? Are you worried about me?

Kratz: You should never lie to me! Obviously we have talents and things to offer that the other is intrigued by, or you would have called me creepy! You wanna accept

Kratz: Me either. Its supid. Have u ever been spoiled by someone? I mean like being taken care of and spoil him with attention in return? Without ever saying no?

Kratz: If you are not worth that kind of passion, we'll know it right away. For now I'm just suggesting we find out. Its either perfect or I'm not going to do it!

Kratz: Hey..Miss Communication, what's with the sticking point? Your low self-esteem and you fear you can't successfully play in my big sandbox? Or???

Kratz: I'm leaving for the day. Let me know after 8 tomorrow. You will be either excited or grossed out about the opportunity you have. But it will only come once!

Kratz: What do you hope your life looks like in 5 yrs? What kind of residence? A job, making how much in the household? A relationship with what kind of guy? $$$?

Kratz: How are you feeling today. You stopped talking yesterday.

Kratz: Are you serious? Ok? That's it? Are you busy? Are you in a board meeting? You are beautiful and would make a great young partner someday. But I won't beg!

Kratz: I'm serious! Im the atty. I have the $350,000 house. I have the 6-figure career. You may have the tall, young, hot nymph, but I am the prize! Start convincing

Kratz: Finally an opinion. I would not expect you to be the other woman. I would want you to be so hot and treat me so well that you'd be THE woman! R U that good?

Kratz: You forgot to write me for the last time saying you could never give me enough attention to steal me away, and you are so modest that you wouldn't know how to!

Kratz: And that you may look good at first glance, but women that are blonde, 6ft tall, long legs and great bodies don't like to be shown off or to please their men!

These messages don't constitute professional misconduct?

Good grief. If that's the case, the bar for misconduct is set incredibly low.

Texting a victim about her low self-esteem and suggesting she fears she's can't successfully "play in [his] big sandbox" is not professional.

Kratz obviously wanted to keep the messages out of the media because they are so inappropriate and could damage his career. Moreover, he lied about the messages not being sexual in nature.

The fact that Kratz was harassing a victim in this manner is very troubling.

It's also troubling that the "state Office of Lawyer Regulation determined that no professional misconduct had occurred."

What?

Kratz did not conduct himself professionally. I don't think this is a gray area.

Kratz texted, "Why would such a successful, respected attorney be actling like he's in 7th grade?"

That's a good question!

Citizens of Calumet County deserve a district attorney that can be trusted to behave better than a junior high kid. Kratz should be committed to serving the community in a professional manner rather than serving his own desires.

I think Kratz's texts go beyond embarrassing. They're not befitting an individual holding the office of district attorney.

FOX 11 Video.


Read:

Ken Kratz statement

Department of Justice statement
____________________

UPDATE: Kratz wanted case to remain private

A Wisconsin prosecutor who sent sexually suggestive text messages to a domestic abuse victim downplayed the seriousness of their content and urged state officials to keep the matter from the public, his peers and state regulators, e-mails show.

...E-mail exchanges between Justice officials and Kratz, obtained by The Associated Press through the open records law, show Kratz repeatedly downplayed the nature of the messages and sought to keep them from the public.

Kratz said they were "a series of respectful messages" that were not sexual at all.

Kevin Potter, administrator of DOJ's division of legal services, rejected that and told Kratz the texts could have jeopardized the prosecution of Shannon Konitzer on a felony strangulation charge.

Potter said the woman could have refused to cooperate or the messages could have become evidence used to question her motives and credibility.

Potter told Kratz he could have been seen by the woman as going easy on Konitzer if he reached a plea bargain because she rejected his overtures, or that he wanted the case to end quickly so they could start a relationship. If he would have prosecuted Konitzer to the fullest extent, that could have been seen as a way to ingratiate himself with the woman, Potter wrote.

"Although I in no way want to discount the 'potential' problems that this matter may have caused, the fact is that none of that occurred," Kratz responded.

Kratz stepped aside from the prosecution, and an assistant attorney general won a conviction earlier this year.

But the e-mails show Kratz at first resisted resigning as chairman of the Wisconsin Crime Victims' Rights Board or reporting his conduct to the Office of Lawyer Regulation.

...In his statement Wednesday, Kratz said he had resigned from the board "as a self-imposed sanction." He also took credit for reporting his own conduct in December to Office of Lawyer Regulation, which found in March his behavior was inappropriate but not professional misconduct.

Before Kratz reported himself, he had proposed settling the matter with Justice officials by stepping down from the board but having them agree not to refer the matter to or to initiate "public disclosure" of the matter. "I'm hoping ... that goal is shared by all," Kratz wrote in one message.

So the "self-imposed sanction" wasn't as self-imposed as Kratz claimed and he didn't report his behavior to the Office of Lawyer Regulation as he claimed.

What's that? Another "lapse in judgment"?

Was Kratz's statement yesterday a "lapse in judgment"?

I think it's time for Kratz to step aside.
____________________

UPDATE, September 17, 2010: Van Hollen says he had to release Kratz e-mails
____________________

UPDATE, September 17, 2010: Calls for Kratz to resign
____________________

UPDATE, September 18, 2010: Kratz statement, September 17, video and transcript
____________________

UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Kratz takes medical leave; Length of leave is undetermined
__________________

UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Doyle ready to begin removal process against DA
__________________

UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Woman claims Kratz harassed her as she sought pardon

__________________

UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz
__________________

UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
__________________

UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
__________________

UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says
__________________

UPDATE, October 4, 2010: Kratz resigns over text messages