Lawyers for Patriots owner Robert Kraft are making a last-ditch effort to save their client. Kraft is refusing to plead guilty and admit he did anything wrong legally, and the government seems to be using the threat of releasing video footage to try and get him to cooperate. Kraft’s legal team has filed a motion to suppress the video evidence prosecutors have and get it thrown out, according to Travis Andersen and John R. Ellement of The Boston Globe. Kraft’s lawyers are apparently claiming that law enforcement officials used a “fake bomb threat” in order to get inside the spa and install hidden cameras.
It’ll be very interesting to see how the situation plays out legally, as it will likely effect what type of punishment Kraft faces from the league. Kraft released a statement apologizing to fans last month, but isn’t willing to admit guilt legally. It’s likely that he’s maneuvering to try and avoid being suspended by the NFL or facing other harsh punishment, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to pull it off. Obviously, the public release of any video evidence would be highly embarrassing to Kraft and the Patriots, so it’s not shocking he’s fighting it vigorously.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Speaking of the Patriots, a former coach of theirs has found a new home. Jack Easterby, the former Team Development Director/Character Coach of the Patriots, has been hired by the Texans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Easterby will get the title of Executive Vice President of Team Development in Houston. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is a former Patriots assistant coach and there’s a lot of crossover between the two organizations, so this move isn’t too surprising. Easterby had been with the Patriots for the past six seasons.
- A lot of AAF players have been signing NFL contracts since the league folded. One player who could get some interest is running back Jhurell Pressley. But Pressley was hit with a setback as he seeks to get back to the NFL, as the league just suspended him two games for a “pending issue,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Rapsheet doesn’t specify what Pressley did, but says that the issue is why he hadn’t signed yet. Despite the suspension, Rapoport notes that Pressley has two workouts lined up for next week and could be signed soon now that his off-field matters have been resolved.
- Earlier today, the Jets claimed receiver/returner Quadree Henderson off waivers from the Giants. New York apparently had competition for Henderson’s services, as the Panthers also put in a claim for the return specialist, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Carolina didn’t have a consistent returner last year and instead rotated a string of players, so their interest makes a lot of sense. Henderson was one of the best returners in the nation during his college days at Pittsburgh, and has a good shot to earn the job in New York as the Jets just lost All-Pro returner Andre Roberts in free agency.
- The Packers cut inside linebacker Antonio Morrison last month, and now we have more clarity on why. A week before his release, Morrison was cited for interfering with a flight, according to Michael Cohen of The Athletic. Morrison, who was traded from the Colts to the Packers before last season, was removed from the flight for “exhibiting hostile behavior” toward a member of the crew, and fined by police. Morrison played in all 16 games for the Packers and started eight of them last season, so his sudden release was somewhat surprising. It’s unclear if the incident actually led to his release, but it’s notable. It was minor enough that he probably won’t face discipline from the league. We haven’t heard of any interest on the open market since his release. He received average marks from Pro Football Focus last year, grading out as their 74th-best linebacker.
Take it like a man, Kraft.
He should be forced to either step down or sell the team.
Why?
Shock you are just a Patriot hater. Jealous n frustrated!
Lol why should he be forced to do that? Do you think that will help your team win?
What color alert does Homeland Security issue when terrorists start bombing massage parlors?
Cross that was really good.
I would love to hear the police explain to employees of massage parlors how they became high value targets.
Literally no one cares that an old man may or may not have gotten a hooker.
100% legal in vegas and canada
These were sex slaves that isn’t legal anywhere
They were not sex slaves. They were all found to be bleak of sexual trafficking.
Then it’s a shame he didn’t have enough money to travel to a location where it is legal…
Not all parts of Las Vegas
So I guess it is ok for people to keep women against their will for sex with creepy old rich men? Because he is rich and white he needs to be let off or dismissed like it is nothing? Sad I guess being in America it is the “ Patriot Way”.
You get it.
Wow congrats a new candidate for idiot of the year
Close your eyes, Yep. What color do you see now? Now, try looking at all people in this way, and understand that it’s their character that makes a man what he is, not his skin color. Goes for women, too.
The league, I thought, issued some sort of statement that Kraft will not be treated any differently from any other league personnel in regards to discipline, ie players in particular. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens if Kraft gets out of this and what the league does… Interesting, because so far NONE of his legal team’s tactics have ANYTHING to do with proving his innocence. Instead, all they’re doing is trying to get evidence thrown out everywhere they can. His own legal team says nothing about him being not guilty, and they’re trying to spring him on a technicality. If he goes scott free by dancing around in legalities… how will the commish handle it? Betcha people like Elliot and others are pretty interested.
Homers like you crack me up. You want people to recognize your team when they win, and not say a thing when they cheat or break laws. (Ie. deflate gate, Tom’s special medicine, taping opponents)
News flash prostitution is just like DUIs that players get hit with. And if these were sex slaves he’s even worse. But I guess being old perverts and disrespecting law is how people stay #bostonstrong. Way to represent your city I’m sure they are all proud.
I’m going to guess that reading comprehension is not a strong point for you…
Deflategate never proven
Toms special medicine ? Nothing illegal
Nothing wrong with being jealous but you’re just a jealous piece of trash
You know any stupid comments from Patriot haters should not be considered. I personally do not care about prostitution, the most ppl do not care either. If it was not Kraft, who gives a hoot? They are just attention seeking in the press. If the so concerned on trafficking, they need to charge the organizers, not a “John”. This type of drama goes back to the 50s, it has no place in the 21st century. Before all the Pat haters jump all over me preaching it’s a law broken think about how many customers are in the paper or even charged? It’s only cuz it’s Kraft, it’s heresy..
You just dismissed practically the entire country.
And dismiss all the comments from the blind Patriots homers as well. And BTW, they charge the “Johns” but also the organizers as well as they were charged with numerous felonies.
So now you speak for everyone in the country or just Patriot Sheep?
If Kraft was a player he would already be suspended and I doubt many people would be defending him.
Agreed he would already be suspended but disagree that fans would care. They would be saying the same stuff . How could you be that cheap and get a 79 dollar handjob. When they could easily afford to travel where it is legal
This is very simple…
If you are innocent, the evidence will exonerate you.
If you are innocent, you’d want people to see that evidence since it will exonerate you.
If you fight the release of evidence that would exonerate you if you were innocent, then, you are all but certain to not be innocent.
Everyone knows this.
Yep. It’s not always just about whether or not you are guilty, but sometimes also whether or not you act guilty.
Hope this story has a happy ending
OK, I’ll allow it.
Theres some good attorneys up around Boston im sure can get him off.
But he won’t be getting off as cheap as he got off in Florida…
He should be put on the commissioners exempt list just like the players before they have their day in court.
Release the tape and drop the charges. That would be funny to me. Kraft screaming “I’m innocent”, and everyone seeing him get an hj from an Asian hooker. And giving her money…. from well respected Robert Kraft to Hand job Bobby over one Summer.
if the police really used fake bomb threat they lose. any evidence illegally obtained should be thrown out.