Lawyer for Patriots owner Robert Kraft calls prostitution sting video 'unlawful'

[rooster59]

Lawyer for Patriots owner Robert Kraft calls prostitution sting video 'unlawful'

By Zachary Fagenson

 

FILE PHOTO: Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft reacts before Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY/File Photo

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - Lawyers for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft grilled a Florida police detective on Friday, seeking to persuade a judge to toss out hidden-camera footage that prosecutors say shows the 77-year-old soliciting prostitution at a massage parlour.

 

"We think the whole warrant is unlawful," defence attorney Jack Goldberger told Judge Leonard Hanser in Palm Beach County court near the start of a multiday hearing scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

 

Prosecutors responded that Kraft cannot challenge the video's legality because he could not have had any expectation of privacy in the first place.

 

"An individual who is in a business establishment with no ties to that establishment, much less there to engage in a crime, has no expectation of privacy," Assistant State's Attorney Greg Kridos said.

 

The video could be key evidence against the billionaire owner of the reigning Super Bowl champions, who faces two misdemeanour counts of soliciting prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, Florida, along with some two dozen other men.

 

Kraft's high-powered legal team is fresh off a win on Tuesday, when they successfully persuaded Hanser to temporarily block prosecutors from releasing the hidden-camera footage to media outlets, which had requested copies under the state's robust open records law.

 

Kraft, who has owned the Patriots since 1994, pleaded not guilty, but has issued a public apology for his actions.

 

His attorneys have argued that the surreptitious videotaping of customers, including Kraft, inside a massage parlour was governmental overreach and the result of an illegally obtained search warrant.

 

The warrant, Kraft's lawyers claim, was secured under false pretences because the application was misleading. Among other alleged flaws, they said, police cited human trafficking as a potential crime in their application but prosecutors have since acknowledged that the investigation yielded no evidence of trafficking.

 

At Friday's hearing, Alex Spiro, one of Kraft's lawyers, pressed that argument. He spent hours challenging the lead detective, Andrew Sharp, on precisely what he wrote in the warrant affidavit.

 

Kraft is accused of visiting the day spa twice in January, including on the morning of the day the Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to earn a Super Bowl berth. Two weeks later, the team won its sixth championship under Kraft's ownership.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-27

[Puchaiyank]

My word, Is this what the police are about now days...what's next?  Cameras in old folks homes?

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

My word, Is this what the police are about now days...what's next?  Cameras in old folks homes?

 

Ah, but it beats responding to violent crime, policing the streets to make them safe, etc etc.

[Thainesss]

12 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 Ah, but it beats responding to violent crime, policing the streets to make them safe, etc etc.

 

Yep, high vis hits like this give the politicians big ole hard-ons and the police department funding comes rolling in. 

[from the home of CC]

 sex for money should of been legalized a long time ago to protect women..

[malibukid]

why would anyone want to have sex after 40?  no fun unless you body can party all night.

[watcharacters]

9 minutes ago, malibukid said:

why would anyone want to have sex after 40?  no fun unless you body can party all night.

 

 

When did you stop?

 

 

[inactiveposter]

“No expectation of privacy.” That’s ludicrous. Even in a legitimate massage business there’s an expectation of privacy. I’ve had therapeutic massages for a sciatic nerve condition. While being in my skivvies is no big deal, I wouldn’t expect my dad bod to be publicized for any reason.

[from the home of CC]

1 hour ago, inactiveposter said:

“No expectation of privacy.” That’s ludicrous. Even in a legitimate massage business there’s an expectation of privacy. I’ve had therapeutic massages for a sciatic nerve condition. While being in my skivvies is no big deal, I wouldn’t expect my dad bod to be publicized for any reason.

or grand dad bod...

[transam]

Hmmm, was enhancement involved....????

[Gillyflower]

3 hours ago, malibukid said:

why would anyone want to have sex after 40?  no fun unless you body can party all night.

What a ridiculous thing to say.  If my parents had stopped (Mum was 48).  the world would have been deprived of the fantastic and wonderful Gillyflower.

[Gillyflower]

I'm not American (thank God), but is prostitution illegal or paid sex, whatever you want to call it, in the US?  If it is, no wonder there are so many Americans in LOS. And if it is so, I shall be nicer and more comprehensive to them in the future.  And the next time I go to Toulouse to my Thai grocer shop, situated in the red-light district. I shall tell all the 'ladies' to thank God (again) they are not in business in the US.

[observer90210]

The world just loves when a rich and/or famous comes to his fall in shame....

 

On the other hand, the rich in order to remain rich, should not become famous and keep a low profile if they wan't to get all the boum-boum they can afford,  without the tabloids getting hard core telephoto lenses on them....

 

And for the rest, well we are in the XXI century c'mon....the world needs to stop hunting down booze and girls willingly selling their bodies.

[marcusarelus]

2 hours ago, malibukid said:

why would anyone want to have sex after 40?  no fun unless you body can party all night.

Most women tell me that they avoid sex with men under 40 because if they wanted to be a school teacher they'd have stayed in school.  Personally I admit I really learned a lot after I got over the beginner stage with my first couple of thousand partners.  It's like being a football player.  No one is good without a lot of experience/practice. 

Edited April 27, 2019 by marcusarelus

[Ulic]

I expect privacy any place I remove my clothing. From a hospital examination room to a therapeutic massage and my bedroom as well. Just my opinion, others are exhibitionists. 

[inactiveposter]

Gilly, prostitution is illegal in the US, but also in Thailand. It’s just ignored in Thailand until an issue arises or someone needs publicity. As for you not being “American (thank God),” Americans are thankful as well, I’m sure.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[Lacessit]

14 minutes ago, Gillyflower said:

I'm not American (thank God), but is prostitution illegal or paid sex, whatever you want to call it, in the US?  If it is, no wonder there are so many Americans in LOS. And if it is so, I shall be nicer and more comprehensive to them in the future.  And the next time I go to Toulouse to my Thai grocer shop, situated in the red-light district. I shall tell all the 'ladies' to thank God (again) they are not in business in the US.

One of the great ironies of American law in this respect is that while prostitution is illegal almost everywhere in the USA, it is entirely legal to pay a couple to have sex, as long as it is performed in front of a camera. America has one of the biggest porn industries in the world.

[Lacessit]

13 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Most women tell me that they avoid sex with men under 40 because if they wanted to be a school teacher they'd have stayed in school.  Personally I admit I really learned a lot after I got over the beginner stage with my first couple of thousand partners.  It's like being a football player.  No one is good without a lot of experience/practice. 

A couple of thousand? Aren't you tired by now?

[connda]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Lawyers for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft grilled a Florida police detective on Friday, seeking to persuade a judge to toss out hidden-camera footage that prosecutors say shows the 77-year-old soliciting prostitution at a massage parlour.

The US needs to shed the Puritanical blue laws.  But then again, Kraft could probably jump in his private jet to fly to almost anywhere in the world to purchase sex legally.  So basically, why he's getting busted for soliciting is really his own stupidity.  <sniff sniff>  Pardon me while I dry my tears. 

[marcusarelus]

44 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

A couple of thousand? Aren't you tired by now?

Think average punter on vacation in Thailand.  That's me only for 40 years.  Like anything it takes practice.  It's a muscle.  Nothing special.   

[marcusarelus]

6 minutes ago, connda said:

The US needs to shed the Puritanical blue laws.  But then again, Kraft could probably jump in his private jet to fly to almost anywhere in the world to purchase sex legally.  So basically, why he's getting busted for soliciting is really his own stupidity.  <sniff sniff>  Pardon me while I dry my tears. 

They can't.  It's a price thing.  Same as making drugs legal. 

[emptypockets]

2 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Think average punter on vacation in Thailand.  That's me only for 40 years.  Like anything it takes practice.  It's a muscle.  Nothing special.   

Love that..... A muscle.... Good onyer marcus

[Krataiboy]

Kraft is accused of visiting the day spa twice in January, including on the morning of the day the Patriots defeated the Kansas City Chiefs to earn a Super Bowl berth.

 

Reckon the old guy had earned a happy ending. 

 

Still, gave a cops a break from their usual racial profiling duties.

[Tug]

The old duffer got a hand job so what do something worthwhile leave him alone!

[Lacessit]

8 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Think average punter on vacation in Thailand.  That's me only for 40 years.  Like anything it takes practice.  It's a muscle.  Nothing special.   

It's actually erectile tissue; however, with your record I'm willing to concede the concept of muscle.

[IAMHERE]

What about the clients getting  video that didn't have sex; were their rights violated?

[Elkski]

Yes illegal in all state, except Nevada and only in a few remote areas.     His mistake was to solicit.  He should have just set a hundo on the table with s smile.    What happens between consenting adults is legal.