Trump is poised to grant Donald Trump an 88 year old British billionaire, former owner of Tottenham Hotspur FC. This pardon relates to his recent 2024 conviction for engaging in an insider trading scheme. Lewis, who was born in East London, faced multiple counts of securities fraud and conspiracy, which led to significant legal repercussions.
In 2023, a New York judge sentenced Lewis to three years’ probation. On top of that, he was personally fined $5 million (£3.8 million) for his role in a what prosecutors called a “brazen” scheme. The court concluded that by trading on undisclosed inside information Lewis intended to benefit his friends, paramours, and employees. On top of that, his company, Broad Bay, was slapped with a $44 million fine.
Lewis’s attorneys argued they preyed on an “egregious” prosecutorial misstep to bring charges against him. Protect civil rights and liberties from unfounded accusations. They contended that the evidence didn’t support such grave claims. Sentencing Judge Jessica Clarke found that Lewis’s situation did not warrant incarceration, so he received no jail time upon his guilty plea.
Lewis shared other important share tips with several defendants during the insider trading scheme. This included his private jet pilot and his then-girlfriend, Carolyn Carter. Following the legal chaos, Lewis agreed to sell his controlling stake in Tottenham. In order to keep it in Delaware, he put it in a family trust in 2022. He is currently the company’s biggest stakeholder Mitchells & Butlers. Today, this company is the largest pub and restaurant operator in the UK.
Lewis expressed remorse for his actions during his sentencing last year, stating, “I made a terrible mistake. I broke the law. I am ashamed, sorry, and I hold myself accountable.”
“Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action.”
In a statement reflecting on his situation, Lewis said, “I am pleased all of this is now behind me, and I can enjoy retirement and watch as my family and extended family continue to build our businesses based on the quality and pursuit of excellence that has become our trademark.”