TPMMuckraker

Wisconsin Regulators Reopen Investigation Into ‘Sexting’ District Attorney

Calumet County DA Kenneth Kratz

The Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation has reopened its investigation into District Attorney Kenneth Kratz, who allegedly sent sexually suggestive text message to four women, including one whose domestic abuse case he was handling.

Kratz has admitted to sending Stephanie Van Groll inappropriate text messages in October 2009, when he was handling her domestic abuse case. Since then, three other women have reportedly come forward alleging that Kratz sent them suggestive text messages. One of the women also accused Kratz of inviting her to an autopsy on a date.

OLR Director Keith Sellen said that his office is reopening the investigation since the new revelations indicate “a pattern of conduct” by Kratz, The Associated Press reports.

The AP says:

The agency closed the case in March, saying the text messages were inappropriate but did not amount to professional misconduct. If the agency had found misconduct, it could have reprimanded, suspended or even sought to disbar Kratz.

Kratz has refused to step down, but went on medical leave earlier this week. Gov. Jim Doyle also began taking steps this week to have Kratz removed from office.

Full coverage of Kratz here.

Top Stories From TPM

Oklahoma GOP Sen. Tom Coburn Will Seek To Offset Tornado Aid

Secret Service Looking Into Radio Host’s Graphic Violent Comments About Obama, Hillary Clinton

GOP Nominee In Virginia Praised Three-Fifths Clause As An ‘Anti-Slavery Amendment’

VA GOP's Attorney General Nominee Wanted Women To Report Miscarriages To Police Or Face Jail Time

The NRA Thinks These Are The ‘Coolest Gun Movies’ Ever

Submerged Structure Beneath Sea of Galilee Stumps Archaeologists

Disqus Conversations

Click here to read the Disqus Commenting FAQ.

Editor & Publisher

Josh Marshall

Managing Editor

David Kurtz

Associate Editor

Nick Martin

Assistant Editor

Igor Bobic

Reporters

Brian Beutler

Sahil Kapur

Eric Lach

Hunter Walker

Frontpage Editor

Zoë Schlanger

News Writers

Tom Kludt

Video Editor

Michael Lester

General Manager & General Counsel

Millet Israeli

VP, Ad Sales

Bruce Ellerstein

Associate Publisher

Kyle Leighton

Assistant To The Publisher

Joe Ragazzo

Designer/Developer

Matthew Wozniak

Design Associate

Christopher O’Driscoll