Prosecutors drop prostitution charges against Patriots owner Robert Kraft
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft won’t be facing trial on charges that he paid for sex on consecutive days at a Jupiter, Florida, massage parlor. According to court papers filed on Thursday, Florida prosecutors are dropping the prostitution charges against Kraft.
The decision comes after a court blocked the prosecution from using a video that allegedly shows Kraft soliciting a woman for sex at the Orchids of Asia spa in January 2019. Police had secretly installed the cameras, which the court ruled was violation of his and other customers’ right to privacy. Prosecutors said they would not appeal the decision, which likely left them with essentially no evidence against Kraft.
“Although there was probable cause to make an arrest, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution,” the court papers said, via CNBC.
Charges were originally filed against Kraft in February 2019, and Kraft has fought them every step of the way. He issued an apology in March 2019, but pleaded not guilty. He and his lawyers have been seeking to have the video thrown out since early in the legal proceedings.
Kraft has escaped trial and possible punishment through the justice system, but he may not be totally in the clear. It’s still possible that he could face discipline from the NFL.
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