A Fountain Hill official, who resides in Alburtis, faces charges after allegedly offering to pay another person for sexual acts.

In a news release dated March 24, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced the arrest of Eric C. Gratz, 41.

Gratz is charged with alleged “solicitation to commit prostitution, a misdemeanor of the third degree.”

Gratz was released on $5,000 unsecured bail, according to the news release and court documents.

According to authorities, an investigation started in February after a complaint was received in the mayor’s office of Fountain Hill.

The complaint was in reference to Gratz, borough manager of Fountain Hill since August 2021.

The news release detailed the incident as follows:

The complainant was working as a junior firefighter at Fountain Hill Fire Department. The complainant said in December 2022 when she was 17, Gratz “initiated conversations with her at the fire company and exchanged cellphone numbers for work purposes.”

Investigators determined “Gratz texted the victim offering to provide her money in exchange for sexual acts,” according to authorities.

Gratz allegedly “used a cellphone provided by the Borough of Fountain Hill to text the victim on numerous occasions,” according to the news release.

“The investigation did not reveal that any sexual contact ever occurred between Gratz and the victim.”

According to court documents, the arresting agency in the case is Lehigh County, Detectives.

Fountain Hill is located near Bethlehem and Salisbury Township. Land was annexed from the latter municipality in the early 20th century to bring the borough to its current size, according to the borough’s website.