Robert Kraft issued a statement Saturday apologizing after being charged in February on misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution during two visits at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Fla., that police suspect had been involved in human trafficking.
"I am truly sorry. I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard," Kraft, the owner of the NFL's New England Patriots, said in the statement.
"As I move forward, I hope to continue to use the platform with which I have been blessed to help others and to try to make a difference," he said. "I expect to be judged not by my words, but by my actions. And through those actions, I hope to regain your confidence and respect."
Kraft said he had remained silent after his publicized charges in "deference to the judicial process."
Immediately after the charges were announced, a Patriots spokesperson insisted that Kraft was innocent. Police said they had video proof of his visits, during which he paid for sexual acts.
He and others arrested in Jupiter last month have been offered a "pre-trial diversion" deal that would result in charges being dropped. Such deals are routine for low-level arrests.
Pre-trial diversion programs generally require defendants to admit guilt and complete conditions such as taking anti-crime classes, community service and paying fines before the charges are dropped.
In his statement, Kraft said his lawyer commented for the first time Friday to "to correct some of the misinformation surrounding this matter."
"There was no human trafficking and law enforcement knows it," attorney William Burck told ESPN. "The video and the traffic stop were illegal and law enforcement just doesn't want to admit it. The state attorney needs to step up and do the right thing and investigate how the evidence in this case was obtained."
Kraft's charges were part of a sex trafficking sting that netted hundreds of men over two weeks, mostly in Palm Beach, Martin and Indian River Counties.
