BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Fountain Hill's former borough manager on Friday pleaded guilty to soliciting a 17-year-old girl and another female to commit prostitution, the Lehigh County District Attorney's office said.
Eric Gratz, 42, of Alburtis, in a hearing before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks pleaded guilty to two counts of solicitation to commit prostitution, a third-degree misdemeanor, according to a news release.
Marks sentenced Gratz to serve two years on probation. Gratz remains free on $5,000 unsecured bail, according to the release.
The victim was working as a junior firefighter at Fountain Hill Fire Department and said that in December 2022, when she was 17.Lehigh County District Attorney's office release
It was the first time a reference to a second victim was made public.
In February, an investigation began after a complaint about Gratz was received in the mayor’s office of Fountain Hill.
He had been borough manager since August 2021.
The victim was working as a junior firefighter at Fountain Hill Fire Department in December 2022 when she was 17.
Investigation, and 2nd victim
The release said Gratz initiated conversations with her at the fire company and exchanged cell phone numbers for work purposes.
An investigation determined Gratz texted the victim offering to provide her money in exchange for sexual acts, according to the release.
Gratz used a cell phone provided by the borough to text the victim on numerous occasions, the release said.
The investigation did not reveal that any sexual contact ever occurred between Gratz and the victim, it said.
The second victim worked with Gratz in July 2021 when he served as the Director of Allentown Emergency Medical Services.Lehigh County District Attorney's office release
According to the release, the second victim worked with Gratz in July 2021 when he served as the director of Allentown Emergency Medical Services.
The victim was hired by Gratz and she said in October 2021, Gratz told her she was not fit to work at the agency and to not show up for work.
In November 2021, the victim said Gratz contacted her via social media and offered to pay her for a sexual act and she refused.
The release did not specify the age of the second victim.
This case was investigated by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Special Victim’s Unit, Lehigh County Detective Gregg Dietz and prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Christine F. Murphy.
