Pats’ Kraft won’t take deal now
Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn’t going to take a deal, at least not now.
Attorneys for Kraft plan to ignore Friday’s deadline set by a Florida prosecutor’s office to accept a pretrial diversion program related to soliciting prostitution charges, two people with knowledge of the discussions told USA TODAY. There has been ongoing dialogue between Kraft’s legal team and Florida state attorney Dave Aronberg’s office since Kraft’s arrest in February on two misdemeanor solicitation charges, according to the two people, who were granted anonymity because the discussions are private.
As part of the diversion deal for first-time offenders, Kraft and others would have to admit they’d be found guilty if the case went to trial, language not often used in similar cases prosecuted in Palm Beach County and reviewed by USA TODAY.
Although prosecutors set the Friday deadline, former assistant U.S. Attorney David S. Weinstein told USA TODAY that it doesn’t mean some form of a deal won’t be agreed to before trial.
“A diversion form that was offered to Kraft and 24 other men charged is typical for other such offers in cases prosecuted over the last several months when it comes to a mandatory prostitution impact course, STD screening and a fine. There’s one major difference under the ‘other’ category: ‘The Defendant must provide a truthful, sworn statement to the State regarding his knowledge of the illicit activity.’ ”
Mike Edmondson, a spokesperson for the state prosecutor’s office, declined to comment. Edmondson did point to a statement by the National District Attorneys Association issued last month after Chicago prosecutors dropped charges against Jussie Smollett, the actor who allegedly staged a hate crime.
“When a prosecutor seeks to resolve a case through diversion or some other alternative to prosecution, it should be done so with an acknowledgement of culpability on the part of the defendant,” that statement read. “A case with the consequential effects of Mr. Smollett’s should not be resolved without a finding of guilt or innocence.”
Smollett faced 16 felony charges. Kraft’s two charges are misdemeanors. Kraft has pleaded not guilty and issued an apology.
Jordan Wagner, a partner at the law firm Kibbey Wagner that represents several people charged in the prostitution solicitation sting, previously told USA TODAY the language where defendants facing misdemeanor solicitation charges had to admit to guilt in a diversion deal “was highly unusual.”