Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz faces removal from office in light of allegations against his conduct in office.
At a press conference Monday, Gov. Jim Doyle said a taxpayer of the county needs to file a complaint, and only then can the governor move forward with the removal process.
""When that complaint is here, I intend to proceed with the process for removal from office,"" Doyle said.
Kratz made headlines last week for ""sexting"" Stephanie Van Groll, an abuse victim he represented. He is now being accused of abusing his position further by bringing a woman on a date to an autopsy, according to a letter sent to the governor by the woman Kratz met on match.com.
""I say this not only as governor, but as a three-term District Attorney and a three-term Attorney General. This thing deeply, deeply troubled me,"" Doyle said of Kratz's actions.
The letter from Kratz's autopsy date, whose name is being protected, said he requested she come to the autopsy ""provided I would be his girlfriend and wear high heels and a skirt.""
""The thought that a victim's body, the most private part for their family, was somehow being used as a lure … is just beyond anything anybody could imagine,"" Doyle said.
Kratz has been urged to step down by legislators, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association. However, instead of stepping down, Kratz announced Monday he was going on ""medical leave.""
The WCADV and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault were highly critical of the move.
""Although Kratz has not disclosed the condition requiring his leave, it appears he is again attempting to make more excuses,"" the groups said in a joint statement. ""Sexually harassing a vulnerable victim is the result of a serious lack of integrity, not a medical condition.""
Although no complaint has been filed yet, Doyle said he is confident one will arrive in a matter of days.
""It is my intention to move very, very swiftly,"" Doyle said, adding Kratz will hopefully be removed from office within 30 days.
