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Utopia Talk / Politics / Robert Kraft Keeps on Winning
Forwyn
Member
Mon Jun 03 15:44:41
Judge: Kraft’s prosecutors cannot use massage parlor video

http://www...annot-use-massage-parlor-video

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Prosecutors cannot use secretly recorded video allegedly showing New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft engaging in massage parlor sex, a judge ruled Monday, striking a serious blow to their case charging him with soliciting prostitutes.

In his 10-page ruling, Judge Leonard Hanser wrote that Jupiter police detectives and the judge who issued the search warrant allowing the secret installation of cameras at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter did not do enough to minimize the invasion of privacy of other customers, some of whom only received legal massages. If upheld on appeal, it could lead to prosecutors dropping two second-degree misdemeanor counts. Kraft, 77, has pleaded not guilty but issued a public apology.

“The fact that some totally innocent women and men had their entire lawful time spent in a massage room fully recorded and viewed intermittently by a detective-monitor is unacceptable,” Hanser wrote.

Kraft’s attorneys declined comment. Prosecutors did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment, but they are likely to appeal.

Kraft’s attorneys argued during a recent hearing aimed at throwing out the recordings that detectives lied to a judge to obtain the warrant. They also argued that the recordings violated Kraft’s right to privacy under state and federal law and that officers did not exhaust less-invasive means of investigating the spa. Additionally, they said Florida law allowing audio wiretaps says they can only be used for serious felonies such as murder or kidnapping, not lesser offenses such as prostitution. They argued video should have a higher threshold.

Prosecutors argued that the warrant was aimed at stopping a felony-level prostitution operation and legally obtained. Neither Kraft nor the 24 other men charged in the county were specifically targeted.

Jupiter was part of a multicounty investigation of massage parlor prostitution and possible human trafficking that resulted in the arrests of about 300 men and the closure of 10 spas stretching 130 miles (210 kilometers) from Palm Beach to Orlando. The spa owners and some employees have been charged with felonies. Prosecutors have conceded they found no evidence of human trafficking at the Jupiter spa and no one has been charged with it elsewhere.

Hanser had already ruled that the Kraft videos cannot be released publicly until his trial is underway or the case is settled or dismissed.

NFL officials have said they are watching the case, but have not disciplined Kraft. 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.

According to police records, Kraft, a widower worth $6 billion, was chauffeured to the Orchids of Asia spa on the evening of Jan. 19, where officers secretly recorded him engaging in a sex act with two women and then handing over an undetermined amount of cash.
Dukhat
Member
Mon Jun 03 21:29:56
Who cares. He's an old man and from most accounts a nice person. He was loyal to his wife for many years before she died and is now having fun.

Prostitution is probably 2nd after drugs as a fake issue created by religous zealots. We should legalize and regulate it so that women and minors are not abused and sex trafficking doesn't occur.

Also he's a lifelong Democratic supporter so not a partisan issue at all ...
obaminated
Member
Mon Jun 03 22:47:28
i doubt legalizing prostitution is going to stop sex trafficking involving minors.
Dukhat
Member
Mon Jun 03 22:57:59
All the resources spent on trying to stop old men from getting hand jobs in massage parlors would go to real issues.
obaminated
Member
Mon Jun 03 23:43:42
i agree with your general opinion on this.
Forwyn
Member
Tue Jun 04 00:12:18
Let it be known that Dukhat is more reasonable on this issue than tw
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