Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will join the state in a civil lawsuit against the disgraced former Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, who tried to claim immunity from the suit.
Stephanie Van Groll brought about the case against Kratz in October. Van Groll, a domestic abuse victim Kratz represented, claimed he sent her lewd text messages.
Soon after, several other women came forward claiming sexual harassment against Kratz. In the weeks that followed, Kratz stepped down from office.
Kratz is now claiming he is immune from a civil lawsuit because he was in public office at the time of the offense, according to the Associated Press.
The state is challenging whether Kratz's crimes were committed in an official capacity.
Van Hollen is also challenging whether the state is responsible for representing Kratz in court and whether the state is subject to pay damages to Van Groll.
Kratz was replaced in December by Jerilyn Dietz, a former victim of sexual assault who has said she will ""restore faith in this office and find justice for other survivors.""
—Ariel Shapiro
