Patriots owner Kraft pleads not guilty to soliciting prostitution

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Thursday pleaded not guilty to two charges of soliciting prostitution, according to court documents. 

“Robert Kraft hereby pleads not guilty to all charges and requests a non-jury trial,” his attorney Jack Goldberger wrote in a court filing.

{mosads}Kraft is accused of twice soliciting prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Fla. Police said he was captured on video soliciting the illicit activities. He is one of several people facing charges in the incident. 

“Our concern in this investigation centers around the possibility of victims of human trafficking,” Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr said at a press conference last week, saying that police found evidence of trafficking. 

After the charges against Kraft were announced, a spokesperson for Kraft sent a statement to The Hill saying, “We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity.”

Kraft is a longtime friend of President Trump and frequent visitor of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. Palm Beach is approximately 20 miles from Jupiter. 

Kraft often praises Trump and said that the president helped get him through the loss of his wife, Myra, in 2011. 

In negotiations with Canada, Trump reportedly prioritized a key trade issue for the NFL at Kraft’s request last year.

Speaking to reporters at the White House last Friday, the president said he was surprised to see Kraft charged.

“Surprised to see it. He has denied it,” Trump said, calling it a “very sad” situation.