Attorneys for Robert Kraft and 14 other defendants in the Florida prostitution sting filed jointly on a protective order that would prevent law enforcement from releasing video evidence from the investigation, including hidden camera footage from the Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, Florida, where the New England Patriots owner is accused of soliciting prostitutes twice in January.
Police previously said there is video evidence of everyone accused of solicitation in the case.
In the motion obtained by TMZ, defendants attorneys argue that the case is still active, and therefore police and prosecutors should be forbidden from releasing evidence to the public.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Kraft and other defendants were offered a plea deal that would require them to admit they would have been found guilty of soliciting prostitutes, but according to the New York Post, Kraft is not interested in any such deal.
‘One-hundred percent no way he’s taking the deal,’ a source told the Post.
Kraft has pleaded not guilty and has publicly denied any criminal wrongdoing in the case, which was part of a larger investigation into human trafficking at Florida spas and massage parlors. According to police records, Kraft visited the Orchids of Asia day spa twice in a 24-hour span in January, when women working as prostitutes ‘manipulated his genitals’ and one woman performed oral sex on the 77-year-old billionaire.
Robert Kraft will not take the deal prosecutors have put forward, according to sources close to him
‘Kraft strongly insists he didn’t do anything wrong, and he isn’t going to take a deal that indicates he did,’ the source told the Post.
If Kraft chooses to go to trial and is convicted, he could receive one year in jail, a $5,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.
Kraft visited the Orchids of Asia day spa in Jupiter, Florida twice in a 24-hour span in January, according to police records.
The first visit occurred on January 19, when Kraft allegedly received hand stimulation from 45-year-old spa manager Lei Wang and a 58-year-old spa employee named Shen Mingbi.
Neither Wang nor Mingbi are believed to be victims of human trafficking.
According to the affidavit, Kraft paid both women with a $100 bill.
Wang has been arrested and charged with maintaining a house of prostitution, but Mingbi has not been charged.
Kraft was charged last month with two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida (pictured)
The second visit occurred on January 20, just hours before Kraft flew to Kansas City for the AFC Title game between the Patriots and the Kansas City Chief.
That day, Kraft received oral sex from Wang, who is known as ‘Lulu.’ Kraft allegedly paid her with a $100 bill and another unidentified bill before leaving.
Surveillance cameras that police had hidden in the spa captured both visits. Kraft used two different Bentleys to drive to the spa in the 24-hour span.
While it remains unknown if Kraft will take the deal, the NFL insists the Patriots owner will not get any special treatment as it addresses his sex solicitation case.
‘Our Personal Conduct Policy applies equally to everyone in the NFL. We will handle this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under the Policy,’ it said in a statement after Kraft was charged.
‘We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts.’
Commissioner Roger Goodell could fine or suspend Kraft from any activities involving this year’s Super Bowl champions, and there will likely be a league inquiry.
The NFL’s personal conduct policy states that ‘ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline.
‘It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. We are all held to a higher standard and must conduct ourselves in a way that is responsible, promotes the values of the NFL, and is lawful,’ it states.
Meanwhile, a group of powerful Democrats is calling on the FBI to provide an assessment of any ‘counterintelligence risks’ posed by Li Wang’s interactions with President Trump, following revelations about potential straw donations.
Li Yang, also known as Cindy Yang, owned the Orchids of Asia day spa. Powerful Democratic lawmakers are demanding the FBI reveal potential ‘counterintelligence concerns’ by her fundraising efforts to benefit President Trump
Yang previously owned the Orchids of Asia day spa. She also founded GY US investments, a firm that marketed to a Chinese clientele and offered the ‘opportunity to interact’ with the president.
The leading Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary and Intelligence Panels wrote the heads of the FBI, Director of National Intelligence, and Secret Service.
The lawmakers are asking FBI Director Christopher Wray to ‘conduct criminal and counterintelligence investigations into credible allegations of potential human trafficking, as well as unlawful foreign lobbying, campaign finance and other activities by Ms Yang.’
‘We also ask that the Bureau furnish to the intelligence and judiciary committees an assessment of any counterintelligence risks or related concerns associated with any interactions with President Donald Trump and Ms. Yang.’
Yang has been photographed with Trump at a fundraiser. She also has been a guest at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Florida club, and has been photographed with numerous Trump family members and associates.