Robert Kraft officially pleads not guilty; asks for jury trial

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft officially submitted a plea of not guilty on Tuesday to charges of solicitation, asking the court for a jury trial.

It appears that Patriots owner Robert Kraft has indeed rejected the prosecution’s offer of a plea deal in the Florida solicitation of prostitution case he finds himself embroiled in. On Tuesday, Kraft and his legal team officially submitted a plea of not guilty to two misdemeanor charges of first-degree solicitation.

Kraft also asked the court for a jury trial, further signifying his belief that he will be exonerated and found innocent of all charges.

It’s an interesting turnaround for a man who just a few days ago offered up his first public apology since the story broke in late February that he was somehow connected to a Florida massage parlor prostitution ring sting. Kraft is accused of paying for and receiving illicit services from parlor employees at least twice before the AFC Championship Game last January.

Reportedly, the entire investigation is the result of a months-long sting operation set up by Palm Beach County authorities, in which dozens of suspected establishments were outfitted with surveillance cameras and undercover recording equipment. The resulting criminal findings have linked over 200 individuals to the various massage parlors; Kraft is so far the most high-profile defendant listed among them.

While the prosecution claims to have video evidence of Kraft at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, committing the crime of solicitation, Kraft’s legal team has vehemently and consistently denied any wrongdoing on the 77-year-old’s part, going so far as to “categorically” insist Kraft did not engage “in any illegal activity.”

Nevertheless, Kraft issued a public apology over the weekend for whatever it is he did do down in Florida.

“I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard,” Kraft said in the official statement. “Throughout my life, I have always tried to do the right thing. The last thing I would ever want to do is disrespect another human being. I have extraordinary respect for women.”

Kraft’s legal team filed a motion last week to suppress video footage from the Orchids of Asia Day Spa, citing that “there was no probable cause to collect the evidence in the first place.”

Originally, the prosecution offered a unique plea deal to Kraft and other defendants, offering to dismiss all charges if the defendants admitted they would lose the case if it went to trial. The accused parties would also be required to “pay $5,000 fines for each offense (Kraft was charged with two), complete an educational course about prostitution, (and) submit to testing for sexually transmitted diseases.”

Now all that remains to be seen is whether the case goes to trial, whether that trial is presided over by just a judge or by a judge and jury, and of course, what the ultimate verdict will be regarding Kraft’s guilt or innocence.