Ken Kratz: No Charges for Sexting

Disgraced former Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth Kratz won't face charges for his habit of sexting and harassing women.

From the Associated Press:

A former prosecutor who sent racy text messages to a domestic abuse victim will not face criminal charges over misconduct and sexual assault allegations levied by more than a dozen women, the Wisconsin Justice Department announced Monday.

State investigators determined that former Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz's "conduct appears to fit the connotation of 'misconduct' and demonstrates inappropriate behavior but does not satisfy the elements required to prosecute," wrote Assistant Attorney General Tom Storm.

Kratz's attorney, Robert Bellin, said his office was investigating whether anyone lied in an effort to hurt Kratz.

"I think it's obviously the right decision," Bellin said of not filing charges. "I don't think we were that worried about it. We think that there were statements from individuals who came forward who were not completely truthful."

Kratz resigned from his $105,000 per year position in October after The Associated Press reported he had sent 30 text messages trying to strike up an affair with a domestic abuse victim while he prosecuted her ex-boyfriend on a strangulation charge. Kratz, who was 50 at the time, called 26-year-old Stephanie Van Groll "a hot nymph" and asked if she was "the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married DA."

...The Justice Department on Monday released its case summary, which said Van Groll was among a dozen or so women who complained about Kratz.

Two claimed they had sexual contact with Kratz, five alleged misconduct in office, and one alleged Kratz improperly told her about a search warrant. The remaining complaints didn't include an identifiable criminal offense, the report said.

Storm, who led the investigation, wrote that one of the alleged sexual encounters occurred in 1999 and the statute of limitations had expired. The other sexual contact complaint contained "insurmountable proof problems," Storm wrote, adding the woman wouldn't be a credible witness because she suffered from mental illness, had prior convictions and consented to the contact.

As for misconduct in office, complaints included the messages Kratz sent to Van Groll as well as accusations Kratz sought a personal relationship with one woman in exchange for help in winning a gubernatorial pardon and a relationship with another woman in exchange for help writing a victim impact statement against her husband.

But investigators found Kratz technically didn't fail or refuse to perform his duties, didn't exceed his authority and didn't try to gain a dishonest advantage.

While "technically" Kratz didn't commit criminal wrongdoing in office, he was acting extremely inappropriately.

He was forced to resign as DA and was publicly disgraced.

Although he won't face prosecution, Kratz has been punished.

Punished enough?

I'm not sure.

Ken Kratz Resigns

Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz said he wouldn't resign.

He intended to deal with the revelations that he behaved inappropriately with an abuse victim by taking medical leave and rearranging his schedule.

But then other women came forward with allegations. The "lapse in judgment" excuse became more and more difficult to swallow.

Kratz's attorney, Robert Craanen, announced that Kratz intended to resign.

Now it's official. Kratz has resigned.

Read Kratz's press release announcing his resignation.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth R. Kratz has resigned, more than two weeks after he came under fire for sending sexually suggestive text messages to a crime victim.

Kratz initially refused to resign and said he would run for re-election in 2012, but he changed his mind and announced through his lawyer last week that he would step down after enduring intense pressure from colleagues, elected officials and victims' advocates.

Had he not resigned, Kratz would likely have been removed from office through a rarely-used legal process initiated by Gov. Jim Doyle about a week after news of Kratz's text messages was first reported in the media.

I think Kratz's decision to resign was the right thing to do.

Jim Doyle made Kratz's resignation a personal crusade.

Has Doyle commented on the possibly illegal behavior of his political appointee, Wood County District Attorney John Henkelmann? Has he held a press conference on the matter?

If he has made a statement on Henkelmann, I missed it.

Governor's office to look into DA John Henkelmann's conduct

State and local officials say they need to learn more before deciding whether to take action against the Wood County district attorney for nearly year-old allegations that came to light this week.

"The governor, like everyone else, just learned of this incident and will look into it," said Carla Vigue, spokeswoman for Gov. Jim Doyle, who appointed John Henkelmann to the position. "If there warrants any further action in the case, we'll definitely pursue it."

Within two days of the Associated Press breaking the story about Ken Kratz, Doyle said he would be in contact with Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen "to discuss all options."

Five days after those revelations, Doyle was ready to begin the process to remove Kratz from office.

The Henkelmann case was reported by the Associated Press on October 1, 2010.

A Wisconsin prosecutor was caught on video looking at porn in a resort’s business room and engaging in what an employee called “lewd” and illegal behavior, but sheriff’s deputies who interceded downplayed the incident and resort management ordered it kept quiet, records show.

Wood County District Attorney John P. Henkelmann was not charged with any wrongdoing stemming from the Nov. 6, 2009, incident at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. In his office at the courthouse in Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, he declined comment on the specifics of what happened, only saying he had been drinking, that he didn’t do anything illegal and was “shaken” when deputies showed up. He said he doesn’t remember if he told deputies he was a district attorney.

According to a report obtained by The Associated Press through the state’s open records laws, Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department deputies were called to the resort after an employee reported that a hotel guest had been repeatedly observed viewing porn in the business room. Deputies found Henkelmann looking at porn, but let him go without obtaining the video footage and left their report vague.

More details, from the Sheboygan Press:

Security footage captured at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake last year shows the Wood County district attorney masturbating while viewing pornography in a public area, an employee fired for reporting the conduct said in an interview Friday.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department was called to the Osthoff about 1:30 a.m. Nov. 6, but deputies never obtained the footage, and the prosecutor — John Henkelmann — was never arrested or charged, records show. But based on the former employee’s firsthand account, Sheriff Mike Helmke said Friday he would reopen the investigation of Henkelmann’s actions.

“We’ll certainly take a look at it,” Helmke said. “I’ll have our people talk to her and see if she tells us the same thing.”

The incident had stayed hidden for nearly a year after Osthoff management ordered it kept quiet and issued veiled threats while firing Amanda Cain, a reservations assistant who mentioned the matter to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Henkelmann, 53, was one of about 200 prosecutors attending a three-day conference hosted by the DOJ.

The former employee, Amanda Cain, spoke publicly for the first time Friday. Cain said she saw the security footage herself and was told Henkelmann had been warned twice about watching pornography in the publicly accessible business lounge.

“From what I was told … security went down earlier in the evening, opened the door to our general business center and asked him to return to his room, which he did,” Cain said. “And a few hours later he came back, and that’s when they decided this is something police should be called for.”

Henkelmann was on the lone computer in the resort’s business room, which was monitored by a video camera that fed a monitor at the front desk. Cain saw the video later Nov. 6 as managers reviewed the footage in an open area of the Osthoff office.

She said it was clear from watching the video that Henkelmann was masturbating.

Will Doyle move as quickly and aggressively against Henkelmann as he did against Kratz?

Is Henkelmann fit to serve as district attorney?

"The governor, like everyone else, just learned of this incident and will look into it," said Carla Vigue, spokeswoman for Gov. Jim Doyle, who appointed John Henkelmann to the position. "If there warrants any further action in the case, we'll definitely pursue it."

In other words, Doyle will ignore the public masturbation by his political appointee, Henkelmann.

John Henkelmann

John Henkelmann - another Wisconsin district attorney behaving badly.

Unlike Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, Henkelmann didn't send inappropriate text messages to an abuse victim. He isn't in trouble for harassing several women.

Henkelmann's wrongdoing was caught on surveillance video and only he was involved in the inappropriate/illegal incident.

From the Associated Press:

A Wisconsin prosecutor was caught on video looking at porn in a resort’s business room and engaging in what an employee called “lewd” and illegal behavior, but sheriff’s deputies who interceded downplayed the incident and resort management ordered it kept quiet, records show.

Wood County District Attorney John P. Henkelmann was not charged with any wrongdoing stemming from the Nov. 6, 2009, incident at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. In his office at the courthouse in Wisconsin Rapids on Thursday, he declined comment on the specifics of what happened, only saying he had been drinking, that he didn’t do anything illegal and was “shaken” when deputies showed up. He said he doesn’t remember if he told deputies he was a district attorney.

According to a report obtained by The Associated Press through the state’s open records laws, Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department deputies were called to the resort after an employee reported that a hotel guest had been repeatedly observed viewing porn in the business room. Deputies found Henkelmann looking at porn, but let him go without obtaining the video footage and left their report vague.

Resort managers demanded silence and ended up firing an employee for talking about the DA’s behavior with a Wisconsin Department of Justice official, e-mails obtained under the records law show. And Justice officials decided not to get involved after learning the incident didn’t involve one of their employees.

...Henkelmann, 53, was at the Osthoff with 200 other prosecutors who attended a three-day training conference hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The incident happened just two months after Gov. Jim Doyle appointed him the top prosecutor in the central Wisconsin county.

Doyle appointed Henkelmann.

Will Doyle go after Henklemann as aggressively as he's gone after Kratz?

Here's a more detailed account of what happened and the alleged cover-up, from the Sheboygan Press:

Security footage captured at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake last year shows the Wood County district attorney masturbating while viewing pornography in a public area, an employee fired for reporting the conduct said in an interview Friday.

The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department was called to the Osthoff about 1:30 a.m. Nov. 6, but deputies never obtained the footage, and the prosecutor — John Henkelmann — was never arrested or charged, records show. But based on the former employee’s firsthand account, Sheriff Mike Helmke said Friday he would reopen the investigation of Henkelmann’s actions.

“We’ll certainly take a look at it,” Helmke said. “I’ll have our people talk to her and see if she tells us the same thing.”

The incident had stayed hidden for nearly a year after Osthoff management ordered it kept quiet and issued veiled threats while firing Amanda Cain, a reservations assistant who mentioned the matter to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Henkelmann, 53, was one of about 200 prosecutors attending a three-day conference hosted by the DOJ.

The former employee, Amanda Cain, spoke publicly for the first time Friday. Cain said she saw the security footage herself and was told Henkelmann had been warned twice about watching pornography in the publicly accessible business lounge.

“From what I was told … security went down earlier in the evening, opened the door to our general business center and asked him to return to his room, which he did,” Cain said. “And a few hours later he came back, and that’s when they decided this is something police should be called for.”

Henkelmann was on the lone computer in the resort’s business room, which was monitored by a video camera that fed a monitor at the front desk. Cain saw the video later Nov. 6 as managers reviewed the footage in an open area of the Osthoff office.

She said it was clear from watching the video that Henkelmann was masturbating.
“Everybody who worked in the office (saw it),” Cain said. “They wouldn’t have just called the cops for a guy watching porn, they would have sent security. … There was clearly more going on.”

But sheriff’s Capt. Cory Roeseler told The Associated Press earlier this week that deputies responding to the resort did not request the video footage or interview employees. He said then the sheriff’s department had no information indicating Henkelmann was doing anything beyond looking at pornography, which is not a crime by itself.

Cain said her firing stemmed from her contact with Tami Dzikowich, the DOJ employee who organized the conference. E-mails obtained by the AP show Cain first broached the subject in an e-mail referring to the incident as a “really funny story about one of your guests,” but Cain said Friday she believed it was a serious matter.

“I could just see (Dzikowich) being, ‘Why didn’t somebody tell me you called the cops on one of my people?’ so I warned her — no name involved. I had no idea who he was,” Cain said, adding that she still didn’t learn Henkelmann’s identity until the AP first reported the story Thursday. “That same day was when I was called in and told (by Osthoff General Manager Lola Roeh), ‘Why would you tell her this? We protect our guests,’ and I said, ‘Even if they’re breaking the law?’

“(She said) ‘Yes, we protect our guests.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I find that immoral and wrong and won’t have any part of it,’ and I walked out.”

Cain said she was suspended for two days, and when she returned she was fired for violating “guest confidentiality.” She said management stressed the confidentiality agreement she signed when she was hired and told her she would continue receiving unemployment pay as long as she kept quiet.

“They reiterated how I signed (a confidentiality agreement) as an employee there, and that to me was just kind of like a threat — keep it quiet,” Cain said. “In my opinion that’s not breaking anyone’s privacy when you don’t know their name.”

Cain added that Osthoff management told her they were worried they could be sued because of Henkelmann’s ambition to be a judge. Henkelmann ran unsuccessfully for circuit court judgeships in 2003 and 2009. He was appointed to the district attorney post two months before the conference.

This is really a weird story.

I don't know why the deputies didn't investigate more thoroughly. Why didn't they obtain the security footage?

Was Henkelmann given preferential treatment?

I don't think the Osthoff should be protecting a man masturbating in a public place, even if Wisconsin's governor had just appointed him district attorney of Wood County. Management isn't protecting the other guests of the resort. Certainly upholding guest confidentiality doesn't include looking the other way if someone is breaking the law.

What will Jim Doyle do about Henkelmann? That is the question.

Ken Kratz Will Resign

Ken Kratz vowed to fight, refusing to resign as Calumet County's district attorney, but his fight is apparently over.

From WLUK, the Associated Press:

A Wisconsin prosecutor facing removal from office over accusations that he used his position to seek relationships with women will resign instead, his attorney said Monday.

Attorney Robert Craanen said Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz will step down before Oct. 8, the date for a hearing on his possible removal from office.

Craanen spoke to reporters after a meeting in Chilton on proceedings Gov. Jim Doyle initiated to remove Kratz from office. Kratz was not present and did not immediately return a phone message left on his cell phone.

Kratz, a Republican, had been the top prosecutor in the eastern Wisconsin county south of Green Bay since 1992.

...Kratz, 50, announced last week he was on medical leave indefinitely, and his attorney said he was getting treatment for an undisclosed problem. He has apologized for the text messages to Stephanie Van Groll, 26, but stayed mostly silent on the accusations by other women, except to deny the autopsy allegation.

Kratz was appointed by Gov. Tommy Thompson and had been re-elected several times since without opposition. He was not up for re-election until 2012.

Doyle last week started a rarely used process to consider removing Kratz from office for cause. The hearing Monday was to set a schedule for the process, including the public hearing date. Doyle ultimately would have made the call on whether the actions were serious enough to warrant removal.

With Jim Doyle as the final judge, Kratz didn't stand a chance.

Kratz probably understood his removal from office was already a done deal.

Doyle certainly doesn't mete out punishment with an even hand.

If Kratz were a Democrat, Doyle would look the other way. I'm not saying that would be right, but that's been Doyle's SOP.

Richard Ginkowski, Maria Ruskiewciz, and Ken Kratz

Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Richard Ginkowski encouraged Maria Ruskiewciz to come forward in the case against Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz.

From FOX 6 News:

The third woman accusing Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz of abusing his power told a Kenosha County prosecutor about it shortly afterward, and he may be part of the reason she came forward.

Oklahoma City University Law Student Maria Ruskiewciz is the third woman claiming Kratz sent her inappropriate text messages. When Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Richard Ginkowski heard about the initial allegation against Kratz he immediately thought of Ruskiewicz.

In June of 2009, she talked to Ginkowski talked to him about an internship in his office. He told her she first needed to get a pardon from the Governor for a felony drug conviction in Calumet County from when she was 17-years-old. Ginkowski says, "You have to notify the judge who sentenced you, and the prosecutor who prosecuted you personally...So I was running down the process with her, and then she disclosed to me without going into specifics that the district attorney in Calumet County had hit on her."

...Ruskiewicz got her pardon a month before allegations toward Kratz became public, and asked Ginkowski whether she should go public. Ginkowski says, "I said the governor's office is obviously pursuing this, and I gave her the name and number of the governor's legal council."

FOX 6 News video:

 

Interesting.

What's Ginkowski's agenda?
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Complaint against Ken Kratz

Maria Ruskiewicz

Another woman is on the record, claiming to have been harassed by disgraced Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Associated Press:

A law student says a Wisconsin prosecutor under fire for sending racy text messages to a domestic abuse victim sent her similar texts in 2008 after agreeing to help her seek a pardon.

Maria Ruskiewicz told The Associated Press on Tuesday that she met Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz in his office in 2008 to discuss a decade-old drug conviction. Afterward, she says Kratz sent her text messages that soon turned harassing, including one that asked how she would please him in bed.

An Oklahoma City University of Law administrator confirmed that Ruskiewicz was so upset by the messages that they met in 2008 to discuss how to respond. A Wisconsin prosecutor also says Ruskiewicz told him last year about Kratz's conduct.

From the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

A law student said today that a Northeastern Wisconsin prosecutor accused of abusing his power to seek relationships with two other women also sent her sexually harassing text messages in 2008 while helping her seek a pardon for a drug conviction.

Maria Ruskiewicz said she believes Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz wanted sexual favors after agreeing to support her pardon. She said she met Kratz in his office and that afterward he sent her texts that soon turned harassing — including one that asked how she would impress him in bed.

Ruskiewicz, an Oklahoma City University law student, is the third woman in the past week to allege that Kratz acted inappropriately as district attorney.

“The reason why I’m coming forward is he abuses his power, not only with women, but with women in certain situations who are extremely vulnerable to his authority,” Ruskiewicz, 31, an Appleton native, told The Associated Press.

...Ruskiewicz said Kratz prosecuted her in 1997 on a charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. She said she was a troubled teenager then but spent the next decade turning her life around, earning two college degrees before being accepted to law school.

She went to Kratz in 2008 asking for support for her bid to wipe away her felony past and seek advice for law school. She said they met in his office, where he asked an odd question about whether a boss could have a sexual relationship with a secretary. She said she was confused but grateful for his support for the pardon.

He gave her his cell phone number, and she texted him later to thank him for the help — a move she now calls a mistake.

She said his messages soon turned suggestive. She recalled him texting while he was on vacation in Michigan with his family asking her to impress him “in between naps.” She said he later pestered her when she didn’t answer.

Ruskiewicz said she did not want to alienate Kratz, who was critical for her pardon. After discussing the matter with relatives, she told him she was not interested and he said he would stop.

She said she didn’t hear from him for months but then got a message in which he asked to meet in person to discuss “a personal matter.” At the time, she was just starting law school.

Deborah Felice, the associate dean for students at the law school, said she met with Ruskiewicz at her request on Sept. 25, 2008, to discuss how to handle the messages.

“She said she was very upset because she was pursuing a pardon and the DA she was working with was sending her these text messages that were basically stalking her,” Felice said, adding that she was shown some of the messages.

Felice said she and Ruskiewicz met with a university lawyer five days later. They decided the best course of action was to ignore Kratz and hope he would go away. Felice said she spoke with Ruskiewicz weeks later and the messages had stopped, and “that’s the last I heard of it until this morning,” when she saw a segment about Kratz on national TV.

“I heard, ’Wisconsin DA sexting’ and I nearly died,” she said. “I thought, this has to be the same guy. It’s way out of line.”

Since Kratz is unwilling to resign, Gov. Jim Doyle has to remove him from his position.

Kratz's medical leave won't solve the problem.

Kratz is not fit to be a district attorney.

That said, it does appear that state Democrats and their media mouthpieces are happy to be focusing on the story of a Republican's wrongdoing.

As usual, the double standard is in play.

Maria Ruskiewicz did an on camera interview with TMJ4.

TMJ4 Video here.

WLUK video.



Ruskiewicz seems to be enjoying her moment in the spotlight. I think it's good that she came forward, but I'm always put off with individuals rushing to get on TV.
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz

At least two more women contended Tuesday that they had received sexually suggestive communications from Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth R. Kratz, bringing to four the number of women who have accused Kratz of inappropriate conduct.

One of the women, a 31-year-old law school student, said Kratz sent her sexually worded text messages in 2008 after he agreed to support her application for a pardon from a drug conviction.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the woman whose sexually charged text messages from Kratz were disclosed last week said Tuesday he was investigating claims from another woman who said she had received inappropriate messages from Kratz after she became a victim of domestic abuse.

The new accusations surfaced one day after the governor's office released a letter from a woman who said Kratz discussed confidential details of an active investigation with her during a date and later invited her to watch a crime victim's autopsy.

I'm getting sick of this.

Kratz should resign and end this circus.
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UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
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UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
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UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says

Ken Kratz: Autopsy Date

Calumet Country District Attorney Ken Kratz's "lapse in judgment" with Stephanie Van Groll wasn't the only time he "lapsed" with a woman.

Another woman has come forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior by Kratz, and Gov. Jim Doyle is poised to begin the process to remove him from office.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Shortly after his office released a letter detailing what he called "unimaginable" new allegations against Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth R. Kratz, Gov. Jim Doyle said Monday he will begin the process of removing the prosecutor from office as soon as possible.

Doyle said he cannot take steps to remove Kratz from office until he receives a formal complaint from a resident of Calumet County. He said he expects to receive such a complaint soon, possibly this week.

Kratz, 50, has been under intense pressure to resign since it was revealed last week that he sent sexually suggestive text messages to a domestic violence victim while he was prosecuting her ex-boyfriend last year.

More allegations against Kratz surfaced Monday, when Doyle's office released a letter from a second woman who says Kratz discussed confidential details of an active investigation with her and even invited her to watch a crime victim's autopsy.

Doyle said an aide has spoken with the woman making the latest allegations, but his office has not had a chance to verify her allegations.

"It's mind-boggling," Doyle said of the accusations. "To have an autopsy be used for the premise of a social engagement is just beyond anything anyone can imagine, I think. . . .  That's the part that concerns me the most because it's really the use of official duties, in his official status as district attorney, for purposes completely unrelated to his job as district attorney."

..."It is my intention to move very, very swiftly upon receipt of a verified complaint," Doyle said.

He said he hoped to resolve the situation within 30 days of receiving a complaint and did not anticipate Kratz's medical leave slowing the process. Kratz is being paid while he is on leave, Doyle said.

...Doyle said he was surprised the Office of Lawyer Regulation had not taken action on a complaint filed against Kratz.

"It's hard to believe there is not a violation of the code of professional responsibility for attorneys that are involved," Doyle said.

I rarely agree with Doyle, but this time I do.

Read the letter sent to Doyle by the second woman to accuse Kratz of inappropriate behavior.

The Journal Sentinel summarizes the woman's story as relayed in the letter:

The woman who wrote the letter released by Doyle's office Monday said Kratz contacted her on Match.com in December. She said they had dinner at a Green Bay restaurant in January, and that during the meal Kratz took several phone calls from detectives investigating the disappearance of a person who investigators believed had been killed.

The woman, whose name was redacted from the letter, wrote that Kratz discussed several aspects of the case with her that had not been revealed to the public. The woman wrote that she and Kratz communicated by text for a couple of days after their dinner.

The woman wrote in the letter that Kratz eventually sent a text "inviting me to go with him to the autopsy (provided I would be his girlfriend and would wear high heels and a skirt)."

This guy maybe really does need a doctor.

Inviting a woman on a date to attend an autopsy and demanding that she wear high heels and a skirt is really weird, not to mention crossing the line professionally.

Kratz is toast.

He should resign now before Doyle removes him from office.

However, since Kratz is being paid while he's on "medical leave," I think the odds of him resigning are very slim.

WLUK video.



Watch Doyle's news conference.
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Kratz calls autopsy allegation 'ridiculous'
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Woman claims Kratz harassed her as she sought pardon

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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz
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UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
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UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
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UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says

Ken Kratz: Medical Leave

Ken Kratz, Calumet County's disgraced district attorney, announced in a statement this morning that's he taking "medical leave" for an undetermined amount of time.

From WLUK:

Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz announced he is taking medical leave starting today.

His decision was announced Monday morning in a news release to the local media. The length of the leave is undetermined.

The announcement comes after it was revealed that Kratz sent what some are calling inappropriate text messages to a domestic abuse victim.

FOX 11 has learned that Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Governor Jim Doyle will meet this afternoon to discuss the situation. The governor has the power to remove a district attorney from office.

...Kratz has said he plans to stay in office after what he called a "lapse in judgment."

He has also hired attorney Robert Craanen to represent him in the case. Craanen specializes in employment law and tells FOX 11 he will fight any attempt to remove Kratz from his position.

Craanen said Kratz's medical leave is not related to any "serious physical ailment."

Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Froehlich will handle all of the county's cases while Kratz is on leave.

Kratz' attorney has advised him to no longer speak publicly about the text messages.

From the Associated Press:

If Doyle takes that step, Craanen said Kratz would have the option of contesting the decision in a hearing.

"This is just a really inappropriately bad mistake by this DA after many years of commitment to the community," Craanen said. "This could potentially wreck his career. It's got nothing to do with evidence, with misdoing — he was never charged with anything ... He's the first to admit this was quite a mistake, but it shouldn't really define his career. And he's been a great DA."

State Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer of Manitowoc joined the calls for Kratz's resignation Monday.

"Kratz has made serious mistakes which permanently undermine his credibility and impair his ability to properly carry out his duties," he said in a statement.

Kratz's absence leaves only one prosecutor in his office, Jeffrey Froehlich, and several pending cases that Kratz was prosecuting. For instance, Kratz said last week he would handle a sexual assault trial set to begin Wednesday and other important cases he couldn't reassign.

In the statement Monday, Kratz said he believed the court would "make reasonable calendar adjustments consistent with the office staffing level."

Craanen would not comment on Kratz's medical condition or estimate how long he would be on leave. Last week, Kratz said he would get individual psychotherapy treatment for "this issue," but would not elaborate.

Obviously, Kratz is NOT going quietly.

Taking the medical route, using that as an excuse for his unacceptable, unprofessional behavior, is lame.

Kratz is attempting to weasel out of taking personal responsibility for his terrible choices. He's trying to paint himself as the victim of a medical condition, something beyond his control. Poor ill Ken Kratz.

The medicalization of this situation isn't going to fly.

Kratz's bad judgment isn't just related to sending inappropriate text messages. It extends to his handling of this scandal.

To salvage his career and "rehabilitate" his credibility, he should have resigned and reemerged later, like the disgraced Eliot Spitzer.

Even Spitzer realized he couldn't survive the revelations about his penchant for high-priced whores. He had to step down.

Kratz doesn't recognize that he's making things worse rather than better. He got caught. He must face the consequences like a man, not a weasel. Now he has to be held accountable, but he won't accept that.

If he thinks he can conduct himself so unprofessionally with impunity, he's wrong.

Maybe Kratz is sick, but I don't think so.

Is arrogance an illness?
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UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Doyle ready to begin removal process against DA
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Woman claims Kratz harassed her as she sought pardon
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz
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UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
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UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
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UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says

Ken Kratz Statement - Video, Transcript

On Friday afternoon, Ken Kratz, the district attorney of Calumet County, read a prepared statement in response to the revelation that he sent text messages that were sexual in nature to Stephanie Van Groll, a domestic abuse victim. When Kratz made those advances last year, he was prosecuting Van Groll's ex-boyfriend, Shannon Konitzer, for nearly choking her to death.

Read the text messages.

Here's the video of Kratz's statement, from WLUK.



Transcript

KEN KRATZ: Good afternoon. I'd like to make a public statement at this time. I will not be entertaining any questions at the conclusion of this prepared statement.

As you know, during late October of 2009, I had engaged in an exchange of text messages with a domestic abuse victim whose ex-boyfriend was being prosecuted by our office. I had asked the young woman if she'd be interested in a personal relationship after the conclusion of the case.

My behavior was inappropriate. I'm embarrassed and ashamed for the choices that I made, and the fault was mine alone. This is about my behavior and not anybody else's behavior. I've been a prosecutor for 25 years and, as most of you are aware, have been a zealous advocate for the rights of crime victims during that entire time.

This behavior showed a lack of respect not only for my position but for the young woman that was involved.

Protecting the rights of crime victims has been my life's work. I intend to continue to serve as the Calumet County District Attorney, as I have been elected to do.

Although this incident came at a time that was difficult for me and my wife, I also have demonstrated a lack of respect for her and offer a personal apology for the substantial stress that she and, in fact, my entire family have had to endure over the last several days.

Any kind of suggestive electronic communication, even in a personal nature, demonstrates arrogance and a lack of respect. After considering my selfishness and my arrogance in contacting this young woman, I immediately engaged in individual psychotherapy to address these issues. I have today decided to seek additional help in addressing these issues, and may consider personal time off as my duties here in Calumet County and as the court calendar may allow.

I hope to regain the trust of the crime victims community, the trust of my staff, and the respect of the citizens of Calumet County.

Once again, I'd like to offer my sincere and heartfelt apology, not only to the young woman that was involved but to everybody who has been so deeply affected by this lack of judgment.

I'd like to thank you all for coming this afternoon. As I've indicated with my apologies, I won't be accepting any questions at this time.

You knew that was coming. Therapy! Yeah, that's the ticket!

Kratz is a victim. He "immediately" went into "individual psychotherapy" upon recognizing his arrogance and selfishness. Now, he's going to get more therapy.

The poor man needs help. Pity him. Feel sorry for him as he struggles with his problems.

No need for him to resign as district attorney of Calumet County. He just needs a little time in rehabilitation, maybe a little time off. Give him a break. Poor guy.

It seems that Kratz is following the same formula that so many public figures caught behaving badly use. There's the public mea culpa and the announcement that the offender is seeking therapy.

Kratz is attempting to weasel out of his personal responsibility through the medicalization of his terrible judgment and unprofessional behavior. Is there a doctor in the house to heal Kratz?

Given Kratz's position as the county's district attorney, I don't think the therapy route is enough to make this all go away. It's inadequate, especially when taking into account Kratz's efforts to keep the story from going public and his misrepresentation of what actually happened. That was bad judgment on top of bad judgment on top of bad judgment.

I don't think Kratz can be effective as the D.A.

He should resign, and end this now.

That would be in everyone's best interests, including his own.
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UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Kratz takes medical leave; Length of leave is undetermined
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UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Doyle ready to begin removal process against DA
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Woman claims Kratz harassed her as she sought pardon
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz
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UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
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UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
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UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says

Ken Kratz: Resign

UPDATE, September 29, 2010: Embattled DA wasn't candid in statements, board says
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UPDATE, September 25, 2010: Fifth woman has complaint about DA
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UPDATE, September 23, 2010: Kenosha County DA encouraged woman to go public with Kratz allegation
________________

UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Two more women step forward, accuse Kratz
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UPDATE, September 21, 2010: Woman claims Kratz harassed her as she sought pardon
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UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Doyle ready to begin removal process against DA
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UPDATE, September 20, 2010: Kratz takes medical leave; Length of leave is undetermined
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UPDATE: Ken Kratz statement, September 17, video and transcript
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UPDATE: DA group calls on Kratz to resign

The Wisconsin District Attorneys Association called Friday for Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth R. Kratz to resign over sexually suggestive text messages he sent to a crime victim last year.

In a public letter to Kratz, the association said his actions were "repugnant" and were "neither unintentional nor innocent."

"Your behavior has cast aspersions on our entire profession," says the letter, which was approved by a unanimous resolution of the group's executive committee.

The letter goes on to say that the association's members would fire any of their subordinates who communicated with a crime victim in a similar manner. They also wrote that they would ask Gov. Jim Doyle to determine whether Kratz could be removed from office if he doesn't resign.

Doyle spokesman Adam Collins said Friday that the governor is "very surprised and shocked by these deeply troubling accounts." Doyle will be in contact with Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen "to discuss all options," Collins said.

Short of a resignation, Kratz could be removed from office through a recall election or by the governor.

_________________

Advocates for domestic abuse victims as well as state lawmakers are calling for Ken Kratz to resign.

Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs, Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault all issued statements saying Kratz acted inappropriately.

Midwest Domestic Violence Resource Center, State Rep. Terese Berceau, D-Madison, and State Rep. Fred Kessler, D-Milwaukee, say Kratz should resign.

A state lawmaker is calling on Gov. Jim Doyle to remove a Wisconsin prosecutor who sent inappropriate text messages to a domestic abuse victim.

Democratic Rep. Fred Kessler of Milwaukee, a former judge, says Doyle should appoint an investigator to look into Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz's behavior.

If the allegations of sexually harassing text messages to the woman are true, Kessler says Kratz should be removed from office.

FOX 11 Video.


The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board is also calling for Kratz to resign.

The Calumet County district attorney either needs to resign or be recalled after sending sexually suggestive text messages to a domestic violence victim while he was prosecuting the woman's ex-boyfriend.

If he refuses to quit, voters should petition for a recall election to remove him from office. He has proven himself unfit for the job.

...Kevin Potter, administrator of the state's Division of Legal Services, said in an e-mail to state officials last November that Kratz had crossed a line into what could be construed as sexual harassment.

We would go a step further. His text messages were sexual harassment. Kratz victimized the victim.

Kratz said he was embarrassed by "his lapse of judgment." He says the state Office of Lawyer Regulation found no professional misconduct in this case.

If that's true, we disagree with the finding.

Kratz crossed a line. Now, he should resign or be shown the door.

I agree. Kratz should resign.

I would hope Wisconsin would exhibit higher standards and refuse to tolerate the sort of behavior displayed by Kratz rather than brushing it off as being in no criminal or ethical violation.

Wisconsin isn't CBS and Kratz isn't David Letterman.

Kenneth Kratz

UPDATE, April 1, 2011: Documents detail women's claims against ex-DA
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UPDATE, March 28, 2011: Ex-Wis. prosecutor won't face charges over sexting

Investigators determined Ken Kratz committed misconduct but no crime.
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UPDATE, October 4, 2010: Kratz Resigns
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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
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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.
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UPDATE, September 17, 2010: Van Hollen says he had to release Kratz e-mails
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UPDATE, September 17, 2010: Calls for Kratz to resign
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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