Judge Makes Official Ruling On Robert Kraft’s Spa Video

A Florida judge ruled that prosecutors can’t use the spa video in the cases involving men accused of soliciting another person to commit prostitution at a Florida day spa. This decision may help Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s efforts to shut down similar video of him in a multicounty law enforcement operation.

The ruling in Martin County came as Kraft’s legal team made similar arguments to suppress the spa vide and other evidence from being used in his prosecution in Palm Beach County.

Judge Kathleen Roberts ruled that authorities didn’t follow legal standards required for this type of surveillance.

“The difference between surveillance and video surveillance is akin to the difference between pat down search and strip search,” Roberts wrote. “There was no effort made to avoid capturing innocent activity behind the closed door of a massage room.”

This ruling sure helped Kraft. Judge Leonard Hanser granted Kraft’s motion to suppress video evidence pertaining to his case Monday as reported to WPTV’s Merris Badcock and Erik Altmann. Hanser wrote that the police obtained the video illegally and didn’t even try to protect the privacy of customers who weren’t considered suspects.

Police officers said the Patriots owner was caught was caught on video receiving sex acts at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Fla., adding that he even paid for the “treatment. The police charged Kraft with two misdemeanor counts of solicitation. The Patriots owner apologized right after the scandal broke, but said he had ever engaged in illegal activities.

This video was the strongest evidence prosecutors had to win the case against Kraft and 25 other men. He tweeted, “Judge grants Robert Kraft’s motion to suppress video evidence in his solicitation of prostitution case. State may appeal, but this devastates their case against him.”

“Expect Kraft’s attorneys to file a motion to dismiss based on lack of evidence, probably tomorrow. The state can either dismiss charges, appeal the decision or take it to court. But so far they haven’t cited any evidence other than the video surveillance.”

This may bring some sort of a relief for the Patriots owner. But, the NFL will conduct an investigation on their own.

“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. “

“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.”