ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Fountain Hill Borough Manager Eric Gratz was arrested and charged with solicitation to commit prostitution with a 17-year-old girl, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said in a news release.
The charge is classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree. Gratz, 41, of Alburtis, was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Last month, Fountain Hill mayor's office received a complaint referencing Gratz and his suspected phone conversations with the girl, the release said.
The two met when the girl was working as a junior firefighter at Fountain Hill Fire Department. They exchanged phone numbers for work purposes, according to the release.
“An investigation determined Gratz texted the victim offering to provide her money in exchange for sexual acts. Gratz used a cell phone provided by the Borough of Fountain Hill to text the victim on numerous occasions.”
News release from the Office of the Lehigh County District Attorney
“An investigation determined Gratz texted the victim offering to provide her money in exchange for sexual acts,” the release states.
“Gratz used a cell phone provided by the Borough of Fountain Hill to text the victim on numerous occasions.”
The investigation didn’t reveal there was any prior sexual contact between Gratz and the victim.
The Lehigh County DA’s Office Special Victims Unit investigated the case.