WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Surveillance video that allegedly shows New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft receiving a sex act a Jupiter day spa took center stage on Friday.
Kraft's attorneys appeared in Palm Beach County court, asking Judge Leonard Hanser to block the video from being admitted as evidence at trial.
Kraft's defense team questioned Jupiter police Detective Andrew Sharp for most of the day. The hearing will continue next Tuesday, when prosecutors will cross-examine Detective Sharp.
Judge Hanser said he wants to watch the video recordings of Kraft in a private massage room at Orchids of Asia Day Spa before issuing a ruling.
Last month, Kraft's legal team filed a motion, calling the video evidence "fruits of an unlawful 'sneak-and-peek' search warrant that the town of Jupiter Police Department used to spy on Mr. Kraft."
READ THE MOTION:
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Jupiter police said Kraft, who's pleaded not guilty, was recorded receiving an illegal sex act from 58-year-old Shen Mingbi at the spa on Jan. 19. Afterward, he paid her and another spa worker, 39-year-old Lei Wang, in cash, according to police.
Earlier this week, Judge Hanser ruled the surveillance video cannot be released to the public, at least for now.
Kraft is facing charges of soliciting another to commit prostitution, a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $5,000 penalty, and a mandatory 100 hours of community service.
In February, Martin County Sheriff William Snyder announced the results of an eight-month investigation, which he said uncovered prostitution operations at five day spas from Jupiter to Hobe Sound.
According to Sheriff Snyder, the spas involved were:
- Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter
- Cove Day Spa in Stuart
- Therapy Spa in Stuart
- Bridge Day Spa in Hobe Sound
- Sequoia Apple Day Spa in Hobe Sound
