District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan announced a guilty plea and sentencing of a former Fountain Hill Borough manager charged with soliciting to commit prostitution.

According to a news release from the DA’s office, Eric Gratz, DOB 05/17/1981, of Alburtis, pleaded guilty March 22 to two counts each of solicitation to commit prostitution, a misdemeanor of the third degree. Gratz pleaded guilty to both charges in a hearing before Judge Anna-Kristie M. Marks and was sentenced to serve two years on probation. Gratz remains free on $5,000 unsecured bail.

In February 2023, an investigation began after a complaint was received in the mayor’s office of Fountain Hill Borough. The complaint was in reference to Gratz, who in the course of his employment, was working as the borough manager. He had been employed in this capacity since August 2021.

The victim was working as a junior firefighter at Fountain Hill Fire Department and said in December 2022 when she was 17 years old, Gratz initiated conversations with her at the fire company and exchanged cellphone numbers for work purposes. An investigation determined Gratz texted the victim offering to provide her money in exchange for sexual acts. Gratz used a cellphone provided by the Borough of Fountain Hill to text the victim on numerous occasions.

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

A 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.

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.

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