Robert Kraft pleads not guilty to charges of soliciting a prostitute in Florida sting
CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 14: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft attends the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium on April 14, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
From the NFL Newswire at 985TheSportsHub.com
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is pleading not guilty to charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution as part of an investigation into a Florida spa, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.
“The defendant Robert Kraft hereby pleads not guilty to all charges and requests a non-jury trial in the above-styled cause,” according to the documents. Kraft is facing charges of two counts of soliciting another to commit prostitution at the now-shuttered Orchids of Asia day spa in Jupiter, Fla.
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg released an affidavit to reporters earlier this week. The documents describe in detail Kraft’s two visits to the spa, where he allegedly committed the acts he is being charged with in the investigation. Kraft reportedly hired prominent Palm Beach-area attorney Jack Goldberger to handle his case.
Through a spokesperson, Kraft “categorically” denied engaging in any illegal activity last Friday when Jupiter police announced the charges. Authorities continue to claim they have video evidence of Kraft committing the acts described in the affidavit.
Kraft’s charges are being treated as a first-degree misdemeanor. It carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail, a mandatory 100 hours of community service and $5,000 fine, and a “mandatory class on the dangers of prostitution and human trafficking,” according to a statement from Aronberg.
In addition to his possible punishment in court, Kraft could face a strong penalty from the NFL, which cited its personal conduct policy in a recent statement. The league typically holds owners to the same standard as players and coaches under the policy. Many around the league are speculating that Kraft’s penalty from the NFL could be unprecedented for an owner.
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