HAPPY ENDING?
Florida DA to Kraft: Admit guilt and walk away from hooker charges
Florida prosecutors just offered New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft a helping hand.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that the 77-year-old billionaire widower was extended a plea deal on his arrest for twice visiting a South Florida spa that allegedly doubled as a house of prostitution.
An attorney for Kraft (photo) did not return a call for comment, while the Patriots declined to address the proposal.
Kraft, along with 24 other accused first offenders, was given the option to concede his guilt, perform 100 hours of community service and attend a class on the dangers of prostitution — including a segment on human trafficking of sex workers. Kraft would also pay a $10,000 court fee — $5,000 for each count of soliciting prostitution — and submit to testing for any sexually transmitted disease.
Perhaps most important, the owner of the six-time Super Bowl champs could avoid appearing in a courtroom to face the charges. Kraft flatly denied the allegations when the story broke last month.
If convicted of solicitation, Kraft is looking at a potential sentence of one year in jail, a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service. Prosecutors acknowledged that most first-time offenders do not land behind bars.
Authorities alleged that Kraft was caught on video paying for sexual favors at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa on Jan. 19 and on 20 — the day of the Patriots’ AFC championship victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. The two visits were just 17 hours apart, with Kraft arriving at the strip mall location in a chauffeured Bentley on both occasions.
Kraft was reportedly captured on video while engaging in sexual acts with the female employees, and was also recorded while paying the women as part of the sting operation, authorities said. His case is due for arraignment in Florida on March 28, although Kraft is not required to appear.
The white-haired owner could also face additional punishment from the NFL, which said its personal conduct policy “applies equally to everyone in the NFL.”
“We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation,” the league added. “We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts.”
In 2004, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended six games and fined $500,000 after he pleaded guilty to driving while on drugs.
Kraft, whose wife Myra died of liver cancer in 2011 at age 68, has been in a relationship with 39-year-old Ricki Lander for five years. He has not remarried.