Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the world champion New England Patriots, was accused of soliciting prostitution at a day spa as part of an investigation in Florida.
Kraft was one of several men being charged in a probe that spans multiple agencies, according to Jupiter Police Department spokesman O’Neil Anderson. Police, citing video evidence, said Kraft visited an establishment in the city called Orchids of Asia at least two times.
Kraft, 77, also owns the New England Revolution Major League Soccer team and other businesses. He is worth $4.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He owns an apartment in Palm Beach, a local TV station said.
Kraft hasn’t been arrested, according to police spokeswoman Kristin Rightler.
A representative for Kraft denied that the billionaire engaged in any illegal activity, saying they would not comment further “because it is a judicial matter.”
Florida statutes describe a first offense of soliciting a prostitute as a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by as many as 60 days in jail and a fine. But the punishment can increase significantly for repeat offenders.
The allegations have been filed with the State Attorney’s office, police said. Charges against 25 individuals -- including Kraft -- were announced on Friday, but they’re part of a broader investigation that has seen other charges brought.
“He is being charged with the same offenses as the others, and that is soliciting another to commit prostitution,” Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr said in televised comments.
Kraft is a friend of Donald Trump and frequent visitor to the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The Patriots owner was in the area this past weekend, attending a fund-raiser for the Everglades Foundation. The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation.
The city of Jupiter is about 30 minutes’ drive from Mar-a-Lago.