The former Fountain Hill manager pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of soliciting sex to commit prostitution.
Eric Gratz, 42, of Allburtis, entered his plea in Lehigh County Court, District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said in a news release. He was sentenced to serve two years probation by county Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks. Gratz remains free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Authorities began an investigation in February 2023 after a female volunteer junior firefighter filed a complaint with the Fountain Hill mayor’s office.
According to the complaint, Gratz, who had been employed as borough manager since August 2021, 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 give her money in exchange for sex, and that he used a borough-owned cell phone to text the teen on numerous occasions.
The investigation did not reveal that any sexual contact ever occurred, the district attorney’s release said.
In May, authorities filed the additional charge, alleging Gratz solicited a sexual act from a former Allentown EMS employee in November 2021. He contacted her on social media and asked her for a sexual act, and she replied that she does not exchange sex for money, according to charging documents.
He stopped contacting her after that, police said.
The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, Special Victim’s Unit, Lehigh County Detective Gregg Dietz investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Christine F. Murphy.
