Robert Kraft's Lawyers Allege Fake Bomb Threat Allowed Cameras to Be Installed

Robert Kraft's attorneys alleged the Jupiter Police Department called in a fake bomb threat to a Florida spa before the New England Patriots owner was among those charged with soliciting prostitution. 

On Wednesday, A.J. Perez of USA Today reported Kraft's attorneys made the allegation in a court filing that is attempting to suppress video footage from the cameras the police installed after clearing out the Orchids of Asia Day Spa because of a bomb threat.

Kraft's attorneys wrote, the police "caused a phony 'suspicious package' warning to be issued for the spa in order to force an evacuation so the JPD could install hidden cameras inside several of its private massage rooms, as well as in the Spa's lobby."

One of Kraft's attorneys, Jack Goldberger, said, "This ruse concealed the execution of the warrant from the spa, its employees, and its customers, none of whom received notice of the issuance of the warrant or the placement of hidden video cameras on spa premises."

Perez noted the motion to suppress video evidence also said a Jan. 20 traffic stop of the car carrying Kraft leaving the spa had the "sole purpose of identifying Mr. Kraft—a passenger in the car—in the absence of any traffic violation or reasonable suspicion of one by the driver."

Kraft pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor solicitation charges and is seeking a jury trial, per Perez.

The Patriots owner released a public statement and apologized on March 23, which ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared:

Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal reported on March 19 prosecutors offered to drop charges against those who allegedly solicited the prostitution if they admitted they likely would have been found guilty in a trial.

Ken Belson of the New York Times reported Kraft did not accept the deal.