10:02 am | February 25, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been officially charged with two misdemeanor counts of first-degree solicitation, Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg announced Monday.
His scheduled court date is 8:30 a.m. ET on April 24. Kraft will have a “low level” arrest warrant issued in his name. He does not need to appear; his lawyer can appear for him.
If convicted, Kraft could face one year in jail, a $5,000 fine, 100 hours of community service and attendance in a human trafficking dangers class.
The 77-year-old owner was seen soliciting prostitution on video surveillance Jan. 19 and 20 at the Orchids of Asia day spa in Jupiter, Florida, the state attorney said.
Kraft was there from 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20 — the same morning that the Patriots played in the AFC Championship Game, with Kraft in attendance, later that evening in Kansas City.
In a statement Friday, when the nature of the charges were first announced, a spokesperson for Kraft said they “categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity.”
Kraft’s arrest was part of a crackdown on sex trafficking in Florida. Hundreds of arrest warrants have been issued as a result of a six-month investigation, and more are expected. Ten spas have been closed from Palm Beach to Orlando, and several people charged with sex trafficking have been taken into custody.
Police said they secretly planted undercover cameras in targeted massage parlors and recorded the interactions between men and the female employees.
Earlier Monday, the NFL said it will handle Kraft’s case as it would any other issue under the league’s conduct policy.
The NFL said in a statement Monday that its personal conduct policy “applies equally to everyone in the NFL and it will handle “this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under the policy.”
The league said it is “seeking a full understanding of the facts” and does not want to “interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation.” The NFL said it will “take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts.”
Commissioner Roger Goodell could fine or suspend Kraft from any activities involving the Super Bowl champions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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