Bill Kramer (born January 21, 1965) is an American attorney, businessman, and former politician. A Republican, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly for 8 years and was majority leader from September 2013 to March 2014, when he was forced to quit the leadership due to sexual misconduct charges.

Bill Kramer
Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly
In office
September 16, 2013 – March 4, 2014
Preceded byScott Suder
Succeeded byPatricia Strachota
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 97th district
In office
January 1, 2007 – January 5, 2015
Preceded byAnn Nischke
Succeeded byScott Allen
Personal details
Born (1965-01-21) January 21, 1965 (age 59)
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceWaukesha, Wisconsin
Alma materDuke University, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Professionattorney
WebsiteOfficial website

Career

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Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Kramer graduated from Waukesha South High School, He then graduated from University of Wisconsin–Whitewater with a degree in accounting and received his J.D. degree from Duke University. Kramer is the owner of an accounting business and has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly since 2007 as a Republican.[1][2][3] In 2013, the Republican members of the Wisconsin Assembly named Kramer majority leader of the Wisconsin Assembly, replacing Scott Suder, who resigned.[4]

Sexual assault allegations and conviction

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Kramer was removed from this position on March 4, 2014, following several allegations of sexual harassment.[5] He was arrested in March 2014 after a GOP staffer accused him of sexual assault. She alleged that Kramer had grabbed her breasts and groin after a Republican event at a bar in Muskego on April 8, 2011.[6] Kramer pleaded not guilty to those charges.[7]

Kramer was sentenced to five months in jail, after pleading no contest to two charges of sexual assault with three years probation and was stripped of his Majority Leader status. He was allowed to finish out his term, but did not seek re-election.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  2. ^ Wisconsin State Legislature
  3. ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 2011-2012,' Biographical Sketch of Bill Kramer, pg. 85
  4. ^ Johnson, Shawn (September 5, 2013). "Bill Kramer Elected As Assembly Majority Leader". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  5. ^ Marley, Patrick (March 5, 2014). "Republicans oust Bill Kramer from post after harassment allegations". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Stein, Jason; Bice, Daniel (March 28, 2014). "Rep. Bill Kramer charged with sexual assault in 2011 case". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  7. ^ "Not guilty plea: State Rep. Kramer accused of groping woman". FOX6Now.com Milwaukee. Associated Press. May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Vielmetti, Bruce (November 25, 2014). "Rep. Bill Kramer sentenced to 5 months in jail for groping incident". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  9. ^ "SENTENCED: State Rep. Bill Kramer headed to jail on sexual assault charge". FOX6Now.com. November 25, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
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Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 97th district
January 1, 2007 – January 5, 2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Wisconsin Assembly
September 16, 2013 – March 4, 2014
Succeeded by