In a dramatic turn of events, former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis has been granted a pardon by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lewis, 88, was previously fined £3.8 million and placed on three years’ probation following his guilty plea to securities fraud charges in New York.
From Denial to Guilty Plea
Lewis, who was born in east London and whose family still controls Spurs, initially rejected all charges. His lawyers argued that prosecutors had made a serious error in the case.
However, in January 2024, he changed his plea to guilty, agreeing to a non-custodial sentence. At the time, he admitted to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud.
The charges related to passing insider tips to friends, personal assistants, pilots, and even romantic partners—a move prosecutors described as a “brazen insider trading scheme.”
A Pardon for a “Terrible Mistake”
Trump’s pardon officially clears Lewis of the convictions, which the billionaire had previously called a “terrible mistake.” The White House is expected to make a formal announcement soon.
In a statement, Lewis said:
“I am pleased all of this is now behind me and I can enjoy retirement and watch as my family continue to grow our businesses based on quality and excellence.”
A family insider added that the Lewises are “extremely grateful” for the pardon and stressed that Joe’s long career extends far beyond this single legal issue.
The Timeline of Lewis’s Case
The alleged crimes took place between 2013 and 2021, during Lewis’s ownership of Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the severity of the accusations, Lewis avoided jail and handed over day-to-day control of Spurs to his family in 2022, a year before his charges.
Since then, the club has been managed by his daughter Vivienne, son Charles, and Vivienne’s son-in-law Nick Beucher. The family assumed full operational control earlier this year after Daniel Levy’s departure.
Lewis’s Retirement and Legacy
Having officially retired in 2022, Lewis now appears free to enjoy his later years without legal entanglements. He also maintains ownership of Mitchells & Butlers, among other business ventures.
The Lewis family continues to build on his legacy, overseeing a wide range of global businesses.
A Week of High-Profile Pardons
Lewis is one of 75 individuals to receive a pardon from Trump this week. Others include Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, who faced accusations related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Looking Ahead
For Joe Lewis, the pardon signals the closing of a long and controversial chapter. For the Lewis family and Tottenham Hotspur, it ensures a continued focus on business growth and sporting excellence.