Report: Patriots owner Kraft to reject deal to drop prostitution solicitation charges
PALM BEACH, Fla. (Heartland Newsfeed) — Two days after prosecutors offered a deal to drop charges against him for solicitation of prostitution, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft will be rejecting the proposed deal.
A CNN report Wednesday revealed that the 77-year-old owner is turning down the proposed deferred prosecution deal offered Monday by Dave Aronberg, Palm Beach County State’s Attorney. Agreeing to the deal would require Kraft to concede that the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction should it go to trial.
Kraft is accused of receiving sexual services for cash inside a Jupiter, Fla. spa on two occasions in January at a Jupiter, Fla. spa. Those visits were captured on cameras hidden inside Orchids of Asia Day Spa by law enforcement, which was under investigation for possible human trafficking of women who worked at the establishment.
As shown in the record, Kraft was allegedly serviced by two spa workers on January 19. The second visit on record came the following day, hours before watching the Patriots defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. The record does not reflect any accusations of crimes related to human trafficking.
A CNBC report attempted to reach lawyers representing Kraft. His lawyer in Florida, Jack Goldberger, was not accepting calls pertaining the case, per his assistant. No response was received from an attempt to contact William Burck, Kraft’s other attorney.
Kraft and two dozen other men are being charged in similar cases have until their court appearance to weigh their decision as to whether to accept the prosecutor’s plea deal, which construes of sexually transmitted disease screening, completion of a prostitution educational course and completion of 100 hours of community service. Under the deal, if the parties complied with those conditions, the charges would be dismissed. If not, their case will resume toward a trial hearing.
Kraft is due for a court appearance next Thursday, Mar. 28.
The proposed deal was standard for misdemeanor charge accusations for those who have never had a prior criminal conviction.
A Kraft spokesman stated following his arrest, denying Kraft’s engagement in any illegal activity and refused to comment further on a judicial matter.
Even if the case resolves in Florida without a guilty plea or a trial hearing, Kraft may still face disciplinary action from the National Football League (NFL).
Representatives of the NFL stated they are handling the allegations against Kraft “in the same way they would handle any issue” under the league’s policy regarding personal conduct, which mandates that owners, players and other league employees avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence” in the league.
In a statement last month, NFL officials stated, “We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts.”
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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.
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