Embattled Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz held a brief press conference on the courthouse steps in Chilton Friday. “I intend to continue as the Calumet County District Attorney, as I have been elected to do,” said Kratz, who did not take questions after issuing a brief statement. Kratz, in the eye of a media hurricane ever since the AP reported that he ‘sexted’ a female domestic violence victim, did indicate he’s seeing a psychotherapist.
“I have today decided to seek additional help in addressing these issues, and may consider personal time off,” said Kratz. “I hope to regain the trust of the crime victims community, the trust of may staff, and the respect of the citizens of Calumet County.” The embattled D.A. issued the statement at the request of local media and in response to calls for resignation, which included a resolution issued Friday by the Executive Committee of the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association.
The WDAA said it would ask Governor Jim Doyle to review the matter and determine whether Kratz ought to be removed from office. “This is very serious situation, and the governor will be in contact with the attorney general to discuss all options, said Doyle spokesman Adam Collins. There were also indications Friday that the handling of the complaint against Kratz by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s state Department of Justice may become a campaign issue in Van Hollen’s reelection bid. “If J.B. Van Hollen’s office knew about this for months without acting on it, we deserve to know why,” said Madison attorney and former DNR Secretary Scott Hassett, the Democrat challenging Republican Van Hollen in November.
Hassett may have problems of his own: a Madison television station reported Friday that the state Board of Bar Examiners has indicated Hassett hasn’t maintained the continuing education credits needed to practice law.