New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is facing charges of soliciting prostitution as part of a large-scale sex trafficking crackdown that has led to hundreds of arrest warrants in Florida, police said.
The 77-year-old billionaire is among more than 100 people linked to several central Florida day spas and massage parlors suspected of being used for prostitution and targeted by law enforcement during a monthslong investigation.
Police said Kraft visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, twice. Video footage shows him receiving “paid acts” in a room at the spa and surveillance video shows him being driven to the spa, police Chief Daniel Kerr said Friday.
Authorities said they wouldn’t immediately release video or documentation. A spokesperson for Kraft has denied that he committed a crime.”We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity.
Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further,” the spokesperson said. Kristin Rightler, a Jupiter police spokeswoman, said Friday that Kraft has not been arrested.
John W. Childs — a billionaire and CEO of the private equity firm J.W. Childs Associates — is facing a charge of solicitation of prostitution in Vero Beach, Florida, about 50 miles north of Jupiter, police said.