Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitution in Florida

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with solicitation of prostitution Friday in connection with an investigation of a day spa in Florida.

The 77-year-old billionaire and owner of one of the most successful sports franchises in the world was videotaped engaging in a sex act with an employee at Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, police there said at a news conference Friday. Kraft had been driven to the spa, police said.

It did not appear Friday that Kraft was in police custody. The two prostitution-related charges he faces are misdemeanors, police said.

"We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity," a spokesperson for Kraft said in a written statement. "Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."

The NFL did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

Kraft eventually could face discipline by the league under its personal conduct policy. Owners are subject to the policy.

In 2014, Colts owner Jim Irsay was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 by the league under the personal conduct policy. Irsay had pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated after being arrested following a traffic stop. He told a judge that he was under the influence of painkillers when the traffic stop occurred.

A Boston-area native, Kraft has built his fortune in paper and packaging, real estate development and sports and entertainment. The Patriots have won six Super Bowls since he purchased the team in 1994. His wife, Myra, died of cancer in 2011.