Patriots owner accused of soliciting sex

By Meg Wagner, Jessie Yeung, Amanda Wills and Brian Ries, CNN

Updated 4:56 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019
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3:27 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Trump on Kraft: "It's very sad. I was very surprised."

President Trump, a longtime friend of Robert Kraft, reacted Friday to accusations the Patriots owner solicited sex.

“Well it’s very sad, I was very surprised to see it,” Trump said. 

“He’s (Kraft) proclaimed his innocence totally, but I’m very surprised to see it.”

Kraft is being charged with two counts of soliciting someone to commit prostitution, stemming from a raid in a day spa in Florida, police said Friday.

Kraft, 77, was linked to a sting that has been going on for months, and his charges relate specifically to "two different visits" to the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in the city of Jupiter, police Chief Daniel Kerr said at a news conference.

2:26 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

NFL issues statement saying it is aware of the Kraft prostitution charges

From CNN’s Alison Kosik 

 

 (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The NFL just released a statement about Robert Kraft, who is being charged with two counts of soliciting another to commit prostitution.

“The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments."
1:16 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

The Patriots won 6 Super Bowls under Robert Kraft's ownership

From CNN's Jason Hanna and Tina Burnside

Patriots owner Robert Kraft celebrates on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on Feb.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft celebrates on Cambridge street during the New England Patriots Victory Parade on Feb. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Robert Kraft, who faces two counts of soliciting another to commit prostitution, took ownership of the Patriots in January 1994. Since then, the NFL team has played in 10 Super Bowls, winning six of them, including this past season.

Kraft also is CEO of The Kraft Group, a holding company of numerous family businesses including International Forest Products, as well as Major League Soccer's New England Revolution.

With his wife, Myra, he also oversaw the Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. (Myra Kraft died in 2011.)

1:08 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

There is video of Kraft receiving "paid acts" and being driven to the spa, police say

WPTV
WPTV

There is video evidence of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in a room in the Orchid Spa receiving "paid acts," according to Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr.

There is also video evidence of Kraft being driven to the spa, Kerr said. 

Kerr said services can cost between $59 for 30 minutes and $79 for an hour. 

12:41 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Video evidence exists in prostitution sting involving Robert Kraft

The Jupiter Police Department confirmed that there is video evidence of the alleged act, “for all the individuals being charged.” 

Chief Daniel Kerr said says 25 additional individuals will be charged, and the case has been sent to the State Attorney's Office.

Police will not be releasing video or documentation at this time.

12:39 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Robert Kraft is not in custody, police say

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is not in police custody, officials said.

“Charges have been filed, but he has not been arrested,” said Kristin Rightler, public information officer for the Jupiter Police Department.

No video or documentation will be released by Jupiter Police at this time.

According to the police chief, at a news conference, officers wore body cameras and had ongoing surveillance at the Orchid Spa in Jupiter.

12:46 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Patriots owner visited day spa on two separate occasions, police say

The Orchids of Asia spa where prosecutors say Robert Kraft visited on multiple occasions.
The Orchids of Asia spa where prosecutors say Robert Kraft visited on multiple occasions. WPTV

Asked about the charges against New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr said they stem from “two different visits” to the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida.

12:33 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Robert Kraft's spokesperson denies accusations

A spokesperson for Robert Kraft released this statement shortly after the news broke about the charges:

“We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”
12:30 p.m. ET, February 22, 2019

Jupiter Police served seven warrants in human trafficking sting

Seven search warrants were served as part of the human trafficking sting that led to the charges against Robert Kraft.

 Two of the warrants were served on businesses, and the other five were served on residential homes, in Jupiter, in Martin County and three warrants were served in Orange county, according to Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr.