Jed York, co-owner of Leeds United and Rangers and principal owner of NFL side the San Francisco 49ers, has been sentenced to two days in jail and fined $1,150 after a legal case linked to prostitution in Ohio.
York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, after responding to a fake online advertisement created by police as part of a sting operation. According to official documents, he agreed to meet a woman in exchange for $140.
Police had infiltrated the website and posted advertisements designed to attract potential customers. York was detained while travelling to the agreed meeting place, with officers finding the mobile phone used to arrange the proposed encounter in his possession.
The initial allegation was solicitation of prostitution. However, under an agreement with prosecutors, the charges were reclassified as disorderly conduct and possession of criminal tools.
York pleaded not guilty to both charges. Authorities in Columbiana County said $160 was seized from him and, under the agreement, the money was transferred to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
Court documents also state that York completed an online training course, although they do not identify the nature of the programme.
The NFL said it was aware of the case and would review the circumstances under the league’s personal conduct policy.
The San Francisco 49ers said the matter had been resolved as a legal issue and that the organisation would not comment further at this stage.
York’s sentence brings the court proceedings to an end following his arrest in Ohio and the subsequent changes to the charges.
He is one of the most prominent figures in American sport. York became chief executive of the San Francisco 49ers in 2010 and also holds ownership stakes in Leeds United and Rangers.
His personal wealth is estimated at about $500m, while the York family’s fortune is reported to be approximately $8.5bn.
York is the principal owner of the San Francisco 49ers, who compete in the National Football League, and is involved in the ownership of both Leeds United and Rangers. His legal case drew attention across American and British football because of his senior position within those organisations.
The NFL’s decision to assess the matter under its personal conduct rules means the league could consider the case separately from the court outcome. However, no further action or finding was detailed in the information released.
For now, the criminal proceedings have concluded with the two-day jail sentence, the $1,150 fine, the confiscation of the money found in York’s possession and the online training requirement recorded in the agreement.
