I-Team: Robert Kraft Rejects Plea Deal In Prostitution Case
BOSTON (CBS) – Patriots owner Robert Kraft has rejected a plea offer that would have allowed him to avoid prostitution charges, sources tell the I-Team.
The I-Team obtained a copy of the prosecution's offer that would require him to undergo screening for sexually transmitted diseases, perform 100 hours of community service, attend classes on the dangers of prostitution and pay a $5,000 fine per count - and that's not all.
Sources say #Patriots owner #RobertKraft will not accept plea deal that requires admitting guilt and providing a sworn statement acknowledging he was aware of illicit activity at #Florida massage parlor #WBZ pic.twitter.com/ulQwzstZTZ
— Cheryl Fiandaca (@CherylFiandaca) March 20, 2019
Attorney Jordan Wagner represents 15 other men, charged along with Kraft, with soliciting prostitution at a Jupiter, Florida massage parlor in January.
"Some of the terms though are atypical," Wagner told WBZ. "In particular, a defendant having to provide a sworn statement about their knowledge of what happened there, this kind of allocution where they would say that they would be proven guilty if they went to trial."
Late Wednesday, Kraft's attorneys filed a motion asking a judge to prevent the police from releasing the undercover surveillance video that allegedly shows Kraft twice exchanging money for sex.
"We have to see if the videos were obtained properly," Wagner said. "Secondly, I would dispute the notion that it was an exchange of money for sex. I don't know if there is any evidence of actual solicitation of prostitution."
All of the men can continue to negotiate with the prosecution, but that could be challenging with all of the attention the case is getting.
"Common sense dictates that I'm sure they have a heightened sense of scrutiny faced to them because of you know the media attention," Wagner said. "I don't know what they would or would not do differently though if Robert Kraft wasn't involved."
Sports legal analyst Michael McCann says Kraft's biggest worry is his NFL contract and his legacy. He says it's likely Kraft and his attorneys will continue to negotiate with prosecutors -- and he'll work to secure a deal that protects his role in the NFL.
"For him, the most important thing is avoiding the stigma of admitting to some type of wrongful conduct," McCann said. "Because that would be used by the NFL to punish him, and perhaps more importantly, would go to his legacy."
Kraft's attorney has not responded to WBZ's request for comment.