The owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, doesn’t seem like your typical 77-year old. He can often be seen wearing Air Force 1’s with his suit and even has a shoe deal with Nike. He’s been dating a woman less than half his age for years.
Popular rapper Meek Mill amongst his close friends—and it appears that he is being charged with two counts of solicitation in the state of Florida.
According to several media reports, police in Jupiter, Florida, have been investigating the Orchids of Asia Day Spa for the last eight months for possibly being involved in prostitution and sex trafficking. During the investigation, Kraft was captured on video paying for sexual services twice at the massage parlor.
Kraft’s warrant is just one of a couple hundred issued by local authorities in recent days.
Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr was shocked to find out the Patriots owner had been a client at the massage parlor.
“We are as equally stunned as everyone else,” he said (ESPN).
As could be expected, the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and the NFL have had no comment on the news. A representative for Kraft has issued a statement denying any alleged wrongdoing:
“We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”
A warrant has been issued, but Kraft has not been arrested. Often times, in cases like this, defendants are allowed to take part in a pre-trial diversion program that requires them to attend a class on the dangers involved with prostitution. Charges are typically dropped following successful completion of the class.
But he is going to be charged, and he will have to appear in court. Police have confirmed that they have video evidence of Kraft.
Kraft has four sons by his wife, Myra Kraft, who passed away in 2011. He began dating a model, Ricki Noel Lander, a year later. The two have been seen in public at several different events over the years. She disappeared from the public eye a couple of years ago sparking rumors of a break-up.
But, as it turns out, she was pregnant and was trying to keep it private. Kraft is not the biological father.
Should he be convicted of anything, Kraft will be subject to the league’s conduct policy just like Colts owner Jim Irsay was after his drug-related charges a few years ago.
