Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Charged With Soliciting Prostitution in Florida
By
Jenna West
February 22, 2019
Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged in Jupiter, Fla., on two counts of soliciting prostitution, according to Jupiter police chief Daniel Kerr.
Kraft is charged in connection to a recent investigation in Florida massage parlors that were used for prostitution and human trafficking. Several other massage parlors were raided by police on Tuesday as part of an investigation over the past six months. The spa's owner, Hua Zhang, was also among those arrested.
Kraft is one of 25 people who will face charges. Police said video evidence shows Kraft involved in sex acts at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa. This video has not been made available to the public.
Police said they have video evidence of Kraft visiting the spa twice, and he was driven there both times. Police told reporters that Kraft has not been arrested. An arrest warrant will be issued, and his attorneys will receive notice.
According to reporter Mike Garafolo, the Palm Beach County state's attorney office told the NFL Network that Kraft's warrant is expected to be issued on Monday. Kraft faces secondary misdemeanor charges, which comes with a maximum penalty of up to 60 days in jail per charge.
An affidavit of probable cause filed by Jupiter police revealed that they began their investigation by searching online reviews of the spa. Several reviewers used a slang term for a sex act that male customers could receive. Police surveyed the business for 24 hours in November and saw only male clients arriving, even though the sign advertises services mostly used by women.
An investigator from the Florida Department of Health inspected the spa for police and saw two rooms with beds, sheets and pillows. The investigator also saw dressers with personal iteams and a refrigerator filled with food, indicating women were living at the spa.
In January, police held traffic stops for men leaving the spa in their vehicles. Several men told police during the interviews that they had participated in sex acts at the spa. Police used that information to obtain a search warrant to monitor and record the spa's activity. Over the course of five days, starting on Jan. 18, the police monitored video of 26 men engaging in sex acts there.
The Patriots have yet to issue a comment on the situation. A spokesperson for Kraft
released a statement, saying, "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."
The NFL also
released a statement on Kraft and his charge.
"The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments," the league said.
When contacted by the MMQB, the Jupiter Police Department said they will not releasing any further information on Kraft at the moment.
Kraft, 77, was in Florida for a fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Institute that was held on Saturday. He was also in attendance at the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte over the weekend.
Kraft has owned the Patriots for 25 years. The Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl under Kraft with a win in Super Bowl LIII earlier this month. According to Forbes, Kraft is worth about $6.6 billion. He bought the Patriots for $172 million in 1994. Kraft is also the owner of the MLS’s New England Revolution and an honorary chairman of the United Bid to bring the 2026 World Cup to North America.
Kraft's wife, Myra Hiatt, died in 2011. The couple had four sons. He has been dating 39-year-old actress Ricki Noel Lander since 2012.
