A Wisconsin prosecutor facing removal from office over accusations that he abused his position in seeking relationships with vulnerable women will resign instead, his attorney said Monday.
Calumet Country DA Ken Kratz had
fought pressure to resign for two weeks since the allegations were first made
public but decided to step down before the Oct. 8 court hearing that could have
forced his removal, Kratz's attorney Robert Craanen told reporters after he met
with his client at a Wisconsin courthouse.
The first of what would become five accusations against Kratz came to light Sept. 15 . Van Groll, 26, the victim in a domestic violence case Kratz was trying in the fall of 2009, went to police after she received the texts from Kratz, messages in which he called her a "tall, young, hot nymph" and asked whether she is "the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA."
Kratz, 50, admitted to texting
Van Groll and offered his "sincere and heartfelt apology" at a news
conference days after the news broke. He also said he had already begun
psychotherapy to address the "selfishness" and "arrogance"
that led to him contact Van Groll.
"My behavior was inappropriate," Kratz said. "I'm embarrassed and ashamed for the choices that I made, and the fault was mine alone." Kratz's office announced last week he'd gone on leave. Craanen did not immediately return requests for comment on the report.
