Civil lawsuit against former DA won’t be dismissed

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A federal sexual harassment lawsuit against former Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz will not be thrown out.

Stephanie Van Groll is suing Kratz for sending racy text messages while he prosecuted her ex-boyfriend for domestic abuse in 2009. The 27-year-old claims Kratz violated her constitutional equal protection rights.

This summer, Kratz filed a motion asking for the case to be dismissed, saying he did not violate Van Groll’s constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge William Griesbach, based in Green Bay, denied Kratz’s motion on Monday.

Kratz’s attorney, Rob Bellin, told The Post-Crescent that he and Kratz will discuss whether to ask the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals for a review.