New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft could soon have charges against him dropped if he admits to soliciting prostitution and completes a series of punitive tasks.<\/b>
\nNew England Patriots owner Robert Kraft could soon have charges against him dropped \u2013 if he and other first-time offenders admit to soliciting prostitution at a Jupiter, Florida, day spa, a source with knowledge of the investigation said Tuesday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, the proposed diversion order presented by prosecutors would require Kraft and the other men eligible to complete a series of punitive tasks, including an education course about the dangers of prostitution, 100 hours of community service and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. In exchange, the charges will be dropped before going to trial.
\u201cAll defendants in that investigation that have been charged with misdemeanors receive a comparable plea offer,\u201d Michael Edmondson, state attorney\u2019s spokesman, said to USA Today.
Edmondson also told USA Today that generally there is \u201ca requirement for either an admission of guilt or an acknowledgement that the state could prevail at trial for the pretrial diversion to go forward.\u201d
Kraft, 77, was one of approximately 100 men linked to several central Florida day spas and massage parlors suspected of being used for prostitution and targeted by law enforcement during a monthslong investigation, CNN reported. He was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution.
Police said Kraft twice visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter. Video footage showed him receiving «paid acts» in a room at the spa and surveillance video shows him being driven to the spa, police Chief Daniel Kerr told CNN last month.
However, it is unknown whether Kraft will take the deal as he has maintained his innocence through a spokesperson, previously pleaded not guilty and asked for a bench trial in the case. The Patriots said in a statement to USA Today that they \u201ccategorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity.\u201d
Jordan Wagner, a partner at the law firm Kibbey Wagner, which represents several people charged in the case, told USA Today the offer from prosecutors was «somewhat standard up until when they asked clients to provide a sworn statement… that they’d be proven guilty» if the cases went to trial.
«That was highly unusual,» Wagner said.
Although he does not represent Kraft, Wagner said his firm is investigating the possibility of further negotiating a revision of the diversion deal with the admission of guilt removed, which could impact professional certifications and immigration status of the defendants.
Even if Kraft takes the plea deal, he could still be sanctioned under the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. The policy does not require a conviction or charges to discipline individuals in the league.
If convicted, Kraft faces a 10-day minimum sentence and a maximum of up to two years in jail.
Kraft is set to be arraigned on March 28.<\/p>\n