Robert Kraft parlor video tape release blocked by judge
A Florida judge blocked the release of a video surveillance tape that supposedly shows Robert Kraft receiving illicit services at a massage parlor.
Robert Kraft and his legal team claimed a minor victory on Tuesday when Palm Beach County Judge Leonard Hanser issued a ruling that effectively banned the release of surveillance tapes allegedly showing Kraft receiving illicit services from massage parlor workers at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa. In his decision, Hanser made it clear he was blocking release of the video before the trial because he didn’t want it to unfairly prejudice potential jurors.
Kraft and his team will reportedly present a motion before Hanser on Friday that attempts to seal the video evidence permanently and prevent its usage in his upcoming trial, arguing that its collection was unconstitutional and without warrant.
Opposing this motion is the Palm Beach County prosecution team, who seek to release the video evidence to the public as soon as they are legally allowed to do so. Prosecutors have argued that under Florida’s liberal open-records laws, the public have a right to see any evidence connected to such a high-profile case – although they have pledged to blur and censor any images from the tapes that could be deemed graphic.
Kraft, who owns the New England Patriots in the NFL and the New England Revolution in MLS, was offered a plea deal in the prostitution case, though he is not expected to take it, according to sources familiar with his thinking. The plea deal would require Kraft and all other defendants in the case to admit that they would have lost the case if it went to trial, in exchange for the charges being dropped and their records being expunged of all wrongdoing.
On February 22, initial reports surfaced linking Kraft and 24 other men to a prostitution ring sting set up by Florida authorities that targeted a number of massage parlors operating as fronts for illegal sex services and potential human trafficking. Kraft was reportedly caught on video twice visiting Orchids of Asia, where he payed for and receiving illicit services from two women who are employed there.
The latest reports suggest none of the women Kraft interacted with are victims of sex trafficking.
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Throughout this entire legal process, Kraft has staunchly maintained his innocence, submitting a plea of not guilty to two separate misdemeanor charges; though he did issue a public apology for his role in the scandal, which has attracted national headlines.