Solicitation charges against Patriots owner Kraft dropped

Prosecutors dropped a misdemeanor charge against Robert Kraft on Thursday, saying they couldn't proceed after courts blocked the video that allegedly shows the New England Patriots owner soliciting prostitution, according to Palm Beach County court records that The Associated Press obtained.

Attorney Dave Aronberg will explain his decision in a press conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution in February 2019. Several others were also charged following an eight-month investigation into human trafficking at Florida spas. He pleaded not guilty a month later and requested a jury trial.

The Florida 4th District Court of Appeal found in August that Jupiter police violated Kraft's rights when they secretly installed video cameras inside the Orchids of Asia Day Spa early last year. The courts later blocked video footage at trial, and that was the only known evidence against the 79-year-old.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Kraft would be subject to the league's personal conduct policy following his arrest. The owner could still be disciplined for the incident.