Robert Kraft's attorney blasts Florida sheriff over prostitution case

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Robert Kraft didn't hire a high-powered legal team for nothing.

William Burck, an attorney for the New England Patriots owner, offered a scathing response Wednesday night to Martin County (Fla.) Sheriff William Snyder, who in a recent television interview admitted investigators are "just a little short" of being able to prove there actually was human trafficking in the case that resulted in Kraft's charges.

"Sheriff Will Snyder admitted that there was no human trafficking," Burck told USA TODAY Sports. "He lied about it. His officers lied about it. I don’t really know what to say. I’ve never seen anything quite like that before."

Kraft was charged with two counts of solicitation in neighboring Palm Beach County, so Snyder's team wasn't directly with his case. But Synder's office did give Palm Beach County officers a tip about the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Fla., where Kraft is accused of paying for sexual favors, and obtained "sneak-and-peek" warrants that several counties used as a template to set up video surveillance in the spas.

Even if he can't prove it yet, Snyder still believes there was human trafficking in the spa Kraft visited and others. But Kraft's lawyers are using the current situation as an opening.

"He’s trying to hide behind it by saying they didn’t find enough evidence,” Burck said. "You don’t get on a soapbox and start accusing people of being involved in human trafficking and then, weeks later, say ‘never mind’ and think that’s the way you can get away with that. 

“They are supposed to be upholding the law. They are supposed to be officers of justice, but instead he’s concocting false allegations against people in order to further headlines rather than justice. Sheriff Snyder said ‘the monsters are the men.’ Sheriff Snyder is the liar."

Kraft recently pleaded not guilty to both charges and requested a jury trial as his lawyers continue to pull out all the stops. They're also fighting to keep any video evidence of spa visits under wraps, a battle that escalated Wednesday when media organizations filed a joint motion to ensure videos are released.

Don't expect a resolution soon, as Kraft's lawyers appear intent on fighting this case until the end despite the Patriots owner's weekend "apology."

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