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DA Accused of Sexting Domestic Abuse Victim Faces Suspension

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on December 08, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Sexting a domestic abuse victim - whose abuser you are prosecuting - is probably not a good idea. Former Wisconsin District Attorney Ken Kratz is accused of doing just that, and may be facing a suspension.

If you graduated from law school with the goal of becoming a prosecutor, you probably spent three years studying and learning about cases where women were abused and harassed. You might have even attended seminars about victims' counseling.

And, you probably had to take a legal ethics course. And the MPRE. Sure, legal ethics can be a gray area, but really, does sexting a domestic abuse victim fall under that umbrella? Kratz really should have known better.

Kratz allegedly sent over 30 texts to the 25-year-old woman in 2009.

Some of Kratz's sexts were made public last year after reports about his misdeeds surfaced in the news. Apparently, he sent her messages that read:

  • "Are you the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA...the riskier the better?"
  • "I'm the attorney. I have the $350,000 house. I have the six-figure career. You may be the tall, young, hot nymph, but I am the prize."

Yeah, surely a six-figure earning prosecutor who is busy sexting you when he's supposed to be prosecuting your abusive boyfriend is a real catch. It's definitely someone you can bring home to your parents.

After the victim went to police, Kratz was ordered to self-report his actions to the Office of Lawyer Regulation. The office originally closed the case saying that the ex-prosecutor's behavior was inappropriate but not violating legal ethics. The office reopened the case later following public pressure and media coverage.

Now, the DA accused of sexting might be facing suspension. The office has filed a complaint with the court asking the judge to suspend Kratz's license for 6 months. With shining examples like Kratz holding onto their bar cards, it's no wonder that the legal profession gets so much flak.

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