PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Ask Wisconsin Governor to Remove D.A. Kratz From Office
  1. Signatures
    449 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of WI
  2. Created By
    Roxann MtJoy
    Mount Vernon, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter

Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth Kratz sent vulgar texts and even tried to start an affair with 26-year-old Stephanie Van Groll, an abuse victim whom he met while he was prosecuting her boyfriend for strangling her.

Van Groll says that she started receiving text messages from Kratz just minutes after she had left his office, where she had been interviewed regarding the case against her boyfriend. While the first few messages seemed innocent enough, over the course of three days, Van Groll received thirty text messages of increasing inappropriateness from Kratz.

These charming messages included gems like "Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA ... the riskier the better?" and "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?" 

To make matter worse, it seems that Kratz implied that Van Groll's case against her abuser might be affected. He told her that their relationship would need to unfold slowly enough for her case to "get done." She told the police — to whom she provided copies of all the text messages she received from Kratz — that she was afraid that he'd throw the case against her ex-boyfriend if she didn't give into an affair.

Until now, Kratz has not suffered any repercussions for his actions. State Representative Fred Kessler wants to see Kratz removed from office. Tell Wisconsin Jim Doyle that you agree. A man like Kratz cannot be allowed to continue to serve in the position of District attorney.

Recent Signatures

Remove District Attorney Kenneth Kratz from Office

Greetings,

Governor Doyle,

As you know, Calumet County District Attorney Kenneth Kratz sent vulgar texts and even tried to start an affair with 26-year-old Stephanie Van Groll, an abuse victim whom he met while he was prosecuting her boyfriend for nearly strangling her to death.

Over the course of few days, Kratz sent her increasingly inappropriate text messages, causing Van Groll to suffer, in her words, "three days of hell." These messages included "Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA ... the riskier the better?" and "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?"

Even worse, Kratz implied that Van Groll's case against her abuser might be affected. He told her that their relationship would need to unfold slowly enough for her case to "get done."

This harassment is clearly a violation of the victim's trust and of professional ethics. Kratz cannot be allowed to remain in his office. The people of Wisconsin deserve better. Please swiftly remove Kenneth Kratz from office before he can prey on another victim.

[Your name]

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