Former Wisconsin DA Kenneth Kratz has been sued by Stephanie Van Groll, who Kratz admitted to sending sexually suggestive text messages while he was handling her domestic abuse case. The Washington Post reports that the civil suit claims Van Groll’s constitutional rights were violated because “under Wisconsin law, witnesses have the right to be protected from harm arising out of their cooperation with law enforcement.” The damages sought are unspecified.
The suit was filed just hours after the Wisconsin Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into Kratz’s actions.
In addition to Van Groll, four other women have accused Kratz of behaving inappropriately during his tenure as DA, including at least one other woman whose domestic abuse case he was handling. Another woman alleges Kratz invited her on a date to an autopsy.
The investigation into Kratz, who resigned on October 4, was reopened after Van Groll’s complaint became public, and at least three other women came forward about alleged misconduct. Kratz is also under review by the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation, which could take away Kratz’s law license if he’s found guilty.
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