President Trump said he was 'very surprised' by Robert Kraft's bust in a prostitution sting.
The New England Patriots owner has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a Florida spa that is allegedly tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Friday.
Police say there is video evidence of Kraft involved in sex acts with prostitutes.
Through a spokesperson, Kraft has denied the allegations: 'We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.'
He is a friend of the president's and has been to the White House with the Patriots.
President Trump said he was 'very surprised' by Robert Kraft's bust in a prostitution sting
Asked on Friday afternoon about the allegations, President Trump expressed disbelief.
'Well, its very sad. I was very surprised to see it. He's proclaimed his innocence totally,' the president asserted.
The 77-year-old was charged with paying for sexual services at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida on two occasions. He has not been arrested, according to police, but a misdemeanor warrant has been issued.
The spa was one of 10 that were reportedly shut down in Florida after a seven-month investigation found women in 'sexual servitude,' according to arrest records. About 200 arrest warrants have been issued in recent days and more are expected.
According to Martin County Sheriff Will Snyder, women were forced to live in the spa and were prevented from leaving. Many of the women, Snyder explained, came from China.
Kraft is one of 25 men being specifically charged with soliciting another to commit prostitution, according to Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr.
According to UPI's Al Butler, Kraft is 'not the biggest name involved' in this case.
The Patriots won the Super Bowl earlier this month in Atlanta.
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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a Florida spa that is allegedly tied to an international human trafficking ring, police said Friday. On February 3 his Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl. He attended the game with girlfriend Ricki Noel Lander (pictured)
Robert Kraft's wife Myra (near right) died from cancer in 2011 at 68. In 2012, it was revealed that Kraft was dating actress and model Ricki Noel Lander (left), 39. Lander did give birth to a child in 2017, and while there was speculation it was his, Kraft has denied being the father following the child's birth in 2018. The two were seen together at the Super Bowl
The Orchids of Asia Day Spa's owner, 58-year-old Hua Zhang, was arrested and charged with 26 counts of procuring prostitution. Kraft allegedly engaged in two criminal acts at the spa
A sign is posted outside of Orchids of Asia Day Spa, Friday, February 22,2019 in Florida. Jupiter police have charged New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution. Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr said Friday, that he was shocked to learn Kraft, who is worth $6 billion, was paying for sex inside a strip-mall massage parlor
The NFL did not immediately respond to a message Friday seeking comment. Under league policy, players, owners, coaches and other employees can be punished for 'conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in' the NFL.
'Ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline when violations of Personal Conduct Policy occur,' the policy says.
Kraft's wife Myra died from cancer in 2011 at age 68. The two were married in 1963 and had four children together.
In 2012, it was revealed that Kraft was dating actress and model Ricki Noel Lander, 39.
Lander did give birth to a child in 2017, and while there was speculation it was his, Kraft has denied being the father.
The two attended Super Bowl LIII together on February 3 in Atlanta.
Kraft and his sons are active philanthropists, having reportedly donated over $100 million to several different causes.
Florida's southeastern coast is inhabited by many high-profile residents, including Kraft
He is also the recipient of the 2019 Genesis Prize from Israel, which has been described as the 'Jewish Nobel' prize.
Kraft, the head of a holding company, bought the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million. Since then the franchise has been to 10 Super Bowls, winning six, most recently in on February 3 against the Los Angeles Rams.
He is reportedly worth $6.6 billion, according to Forbes.com, and does own property in Palm Beach. In addition to the Patriots, Kraft also owns the team's field, Gillette Stadium, and the MLS's New England Revolution.
Kraft has a lease in the famed Breakers resort in Palm Beach, which is near President Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate. He owns a double apartment at 1. North Breakers Row in Palm Bleach, according to the Palm Beach Daily News.
Lanyun Ma (left), 49, of Orlando was charged with human trafficking, unlawful transportation for the purpose of prostitution, racketeering and engaging in prostitution. Junhua Dong (right), 50, of Vero Beach is charged with racketeering, engaging in prostitution, and deriving support from proceeds of prostitution
Yan Xu (left), 51, of Sebastian was charged with deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, engaging in prostitution and racketeering. Yaping Ren (right), 27, of Orlando was charged with engaging in prostitution, racketeering, and deriving support from prostitutio
Kenneth Zullo (left), 64, of Sebastian was charged with racketeering. Jupiter Police Chief Daniel Kerr (right) announced Friday that Kraft was being charged with solicitation
The 77-year-old Kraft was charged with paying for sexual services at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida. He has not been arrested, according to police
In September, an undercover Vero Beach detective recorded several alleged crimes at one spa. In each instance, the masseuse allegedly offered sexual favors, ranging from $200 for intercourse to $100 for oral sex and hand stimulation for as low as $40, according to TCPalm.com.
Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey explained the conditions to reporters Thursday.
'These girls are there all day long, into the evening. They can't leave and they're performing sex acts,' Currey said.
