Patriots owner charged in Florida prostitution sting

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Florida prosecutors on Monday filed formal charges against Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots football team, and about two-dozen other men for soliciting prostitution at massage parlors, authorities said on Monday.

The investigation by law enforcement officers in three Florida counties into the trafficking of young women to work at day spas and massage parlors has led to hundreds being charged.

Some of the women – many of who came from China on temporary work visas – were forced to stay for days at a time, while others did not leave for months, according to police.

Kraft, 77, and the other defendants charged with first-degree misdemeanors “come from all walks of life,” Dave Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County, told reporters.

On Friday, police named Kraft as a client at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, saying they had video of him engaging in paid sex acts with a worker there on two occasions.

Robert Kraft howls to the crowd while holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the New England Patriots Super Bowl LIII victory parade in Boston, February 5, 2019. /VCG Photo

Florida law requires that defendants convicted of those crimes pay a 5,000-U.S.-dollar (3,816 British pounds) fine, perform 100 hours of community service and take classes on the dangers of prostitution and human trafficking, Aronberg said. While they also face possible jail time of 60 days to one year, it is not likely to be applied to first-time offenders, he said.

Kraft denies engaging in “any illegal activity,” according to Aaron Salkin, a spokesman for Kraft and the Super Bowl champion Patriots, the National Football League's dominant franchise.

Kraft and the other defendants were charged as part of a statewide probe into human trafficking, which Aronberg said was still underway.

“The larger picture which we must all confront is the cold reality that many prostitutes in cases like this are themselves victims,” he said.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (L) chats with Robert Kraft prior to Super Bowl LIII, February 3, 2019. /VCG photo

The NFL, which said last week it was monitoring the case, released a new statement on Monday saying everyone, including team owners, were bound by the league's personal conduct policy.

"We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation," the statement said. "We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts."

Kraft, whose wife Myra died in 2011, became the principal owner of the Patriots in 1994 and has seen the club win six NFL crowns.

Punishment from the NFL would almost certainly be forthcoming if Kraft is found to have violated personal conduct rules.

A league bylaw gives NFL commissioner Roger Goodell the power to sanction an owner for "conduct detrimental to the welfare of the league."

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games in 2014 and fined 500,000 U.S. dollars after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence.

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters