Sports

Robert Kraft's attorney denies human trafficking, calls video, traffic stop illegal

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 29: Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots walks on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 29, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Robert Kraft's attorney is denying any human trafficking in the Patriots owner's current case down in Florida, and is reportedly accusing law enforcement of knowing that fact.

Kraft's attorney William Burck sent a statement to ESPN, saying there was "no human trafficking" and said the "video and the traffic stop were illegal and law enforcement just doesn't want to admit it."

Burck added that "the state attorney needs to step up and do the right thing and investigate how the evidence in this case was obtained."

The statement comes after news that Kraft will not accept a plea deal offered by Florida prosecutors in the case against the New England Patriots owner and other men accused of soliciting prostitution at a Jupiter, Florida, day spa, a source familiar with the case told CNN on Wednesday.

Prosecutors offered to drop misdemeanor charges against Kraft and 24 other men in exchange for fines, community service and an admission they would be found guilty should the case go to trial, according to Mike Edmonson, spokesman for the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office.

>> PREVIOUSPatriots owner Kraft offered plea deal in prostitution case

Edmondson described the offer as standard for first-time offenders and said that none of the offers had been accepted as of Wednesday morning.

The 77-year-old Kraft was among more than 100 people linked last month to several central Florida day spas and massage parlors suspected of being used for prostitution and targeted by law enforcement during a monthslong investigation.

Police said Kraft twice visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa. Video footage allegedly showed him receiving "paid acts" in a room at the spa and surveillance video shows him being driven to the spa, police Chief Daniel Kerr said last month.

>> ORIGINAL STORY: Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitution in Florida human trafficking bust

Kraft, who has denied through a spokesman that he committed a crime, has been charged with two counts of solicitation. "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity," his spokesman said.

The charges are second-degree misdemeanors and generally carry no more than a 60-day sentence in county jail, according to Edmondson.

Kraft is to be arraigned on March 28.

The plea offer was first reported in the Wall Street Journal.