Federal Judge OKs Crime Victim's Suit Against 'I Am the Prize' DA Who Sent Her Racy Text Messages
A crime victim who says she was denied equal protection because the local district attorney sexually harassed her while prosecuting her boyfriend has been given the green light by a federal judge to to proceed with a civil rights suit.
Stephanie Van Groll, 27, was described as a “tall, young, hot nymph” in one text message sent by then-Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, reports the Post-Crescent in an article reprinted in the Green Bay Press Gazette.
In another of the 2009 texts, Kratz asked “Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA?”
Attorney Rob Bellin is representing Kratz and argued that the DA’s conduct didn’t rise to the level of a constitutional violation, the newspaper article recounts. He says his client may ask the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review Monday’s denial, by U.S. District Judge William Griesbach, of Kratz’ motion to dismiss the case.
The judge sits in Green Bay, Wis.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “No Criminal Charges for Ex-‘I Am the Prize’ DA Accused in Sext Case”
ABAJournal.com: ” ‘I Am the Prize’ Ex-DA: Civil Rights Law Doesn’t Protect Crime Victim from DA’s ‘Flirtatious’ Texts”
ABAJournal.com: “Ethics Complaint Seeks Six-Month Suspension for Sexting DA, Alleges ‘Offensive Personality’”
