Florida prosecutors have offered a plea deal to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other men charged with paying for illicit sex at a massage parlor in Jupiter.
Prosecutors have offered to drop solicitation charges against Robert Kraft in unusual deal that calls for admitting he would've been found guilty https://t.co/w1tld8YDys
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 19, 2019
In February, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg announced his office was charging New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and 24 other men with soliciting another to commit prostitution in relation to filing packets received from the Jupiter Police Department.
Jupiter police reports indicate Kraft, 77, visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter on Jan. 19 and 20. On the 19th, the transaction lasted approximately 40 minutes and on the 20th, about 14 minutes.
Kraft has entered a plea of not guilty and has requested a non-jury trial. His arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m Thursday, March 28. He is not expected to be in court.
Palm Beach County prosecutors declined to comment, the Wall Street Journal said.
According to a WPTV source with knowledge of the offer, the State Attorney’s Office issued a blanket deferred prosecution agreement Monday morning. The offer was to pay a $5,000 civil penalty, $200 cost towards the prosecution, take a prostitution awareness course that’s five hours long, 100 hours community service, and screening of sexually transmitted diseases.
That same source claimed, "all who accept the deal would have to appear at the same time to accept the agreement," adding that, in their opinion, this offer seemed “specifically, uniquely framed to gather all of these gentleman in one court, at the same time, same location, to maximize publicity” in the case.
A spokesperson for the State Attorney's Office disputes that, saying, "they don't have to appear at the same time or even on the same day. It's all standard stuff. It's the judge who sets up the defendants to appear on a certain date."
If Kraft refuses the deal, he would be put on trial and, if found guilty, face a possible year in jail, although that would be unlikely. He has pleaded not guilty.
After the Wall Street Journal posted the story on its website State Attorney Dave Aronberg tweeted a correction to the article.
Correction: The offer of a deferred prosecution agreement with several conditions to first time offenders is standard in cases like this. https://t.co/6TvDHQo5fZ
— Dave Aronberg (@aronberg) March 19, 2019
The deal would mean:
— Wanda Moore (@WandaMooreWPTV) March 19, 2019
- Kraft would admit that he could be proven guilty
- he would complete course about prostitution
- complete 100 hours of community service
- be screened for sexually transmitted diseases
CONTINUING COVERAGE:
- Kraft offered plea deal in prostitution case
- Police spent months taking down Jupiter spa
- Search warrants reveal how detectives planted hidden cameras
- #MeToo Founder visits Palm Beach County
- Prostitution, racketeering cases left open
- More than $500K, luxury cars, properties seized in prostitution stings up Florida’s east coast
- Vero Beach deacon arrested in prostitution sting
- Billionaire John Childs, charged with soliciting prostitution, resigns from equity firm
- Law firm files petition to bar release of day spa videos
- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft faces charges
- NFL issues statement on Robert Kraft
- Could NFL reprimand Patriots owner Robert Kraft?
- How Jupiter detectives gathered evidence in prostitution sting
- Mugshots unlikely for 25 ‘Johns’ picked up in Jupiter sex-trafficking bust
- Billionaire equity firm owner John Childs wanted on sting
- Boyfriend of LPGA star arrested
- Martin County sheriff says 2 women at center of human trafficking
- 3rd suspect arrested in human trafficking/prostitution case
- 165 men charged in Indian River Co. bust
- 'RubMaps.com' helps customers find illicit massage parlors
- Recognizing the signs of human trafficking
