Sports

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft ramps up battle to keep massage parlor videos in prostitution case secret

Key Points
  • Robert Kraft's defense lawyers say the billionaire would suffer "irreparable harm" if the media and public get access to police surveillance videos that allegedly show him being sexually serviced by women.
  • Kraft, whose football team won the Super Bowl this year, has pleaded not guilty in the case.
  • He is one of about two dozen men recently charged with soliciting prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter, Florida.
Robert Kraft, chief executive officer of the Kraft Group and owner of the New England Patriots football team, attends the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 5, 2016 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
Drew Angerer | Getty Images

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft really doesn't want you to see this video replay.

Kraft's defense lawyers warned Wednesday that the billionaire businessman would suffer "irreparable harm" if the media and public get access to police surveillance videos that prosecutors say show him being sexually serviced by women at a Florida massage parlor.

"Public disclosure at this stage could ... destroy any prospect of Mr. Kraft receiving a fair trial," his lawyers wrote in a new court filing.

They also argued that the videos are "expressly exempt" from disclosure under Florida public records law.

Kraft is charged with two counts of soliciting prostitutes, which Palm Beach County, Florida, prosecutors say occurred at the Orchids of Asia Spa in Jupiter on two different days in January.

Kraft's legal team is waging a multifront attack on the videos, which are key pieces of evidence in the criminal case against the 77-year-old mogul, who has pleaded not guilty.

Defense lawyers also are trying to get the videos barred from being used by prosecutors at trial on the grounds that the warrant that authorized police to secretly install cameras in the spa was "unlawful."

Kraft is one of about two dozen men who were recently charged with soliciting sex for pay at the business.

A number of media outlets are seeking release of the videos. A judge has scheduled a hearing on the issue for Friday.

Spokesmen for Kraft and for prosecutors had no immediate comment when contacted by CNBC.