Donald Trump has issued a surprise pardon to British billionaire Joe Lewis, 88, who was convicted of insider trading in the United States. The billionaire, once a prominent figure in the UK's football scene as the owner of Tottenham Hotspur FC, had pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme that prosecutors described as "brazen" and designed to enrich friends, lovers, and employees.
Lewis was initially fined $5 million (£3.8 million) and given three years' probation after pleading guilty to multiple counts of securities fraud and conspiracy. However, he later changed his plea to guilty after the prosecution agreed to a non-custodial sentence.
The pardon, which has left many questioning Trump's motives, means that Lewis will not face any further penalties for his crimes. The fine associated with his company, Broad Bay, is also unlikely to be repaid.
According to sources close to the family, Lewis had requested the pardon so he could receive medical treatment and visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the US. The billionaire, who owns a significant stake in Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK's largest operators of pubs, bars, and restaurants, expressed gratitude for the pardon.
However, not everyone is celebrating Lewis' reprieve. Critics have accused Trump of issuing pardons to wealthy individuals with connections to his own interests, sparking calls for greater scrutiny into the pardoning process.
The surprise move has also raised questions about the extent to which Lewis was involved in the insider trading scheme and whether he truly received medical treatment as stated by his representatives. The White House confirmed that Lewis had requested the pardon but refused to provide further details on its motivations.
Lewis, who has built a business empire across the globe, already transferred his majority ownership interest in Tottenham Hotspur FC to his family via a trust in 2022 before being charged with insider trading. His daughter Vivienne and son Charles now oversee the football club, while his great-grandchildren are among those Lewis will be visiting as part of his post-pardon plans.
The pardon marks another significant development in Trump's presidency, which has seen him grant pardons to several high-profile figures accused of crimes such as corruption and treason.
Lewis was initially fined $5 million (£3.8 million) and given three years' probation after pleading guilty to multiple counts of securities fraud and conspiracy. However, he later changed his plea to guilty after the prosecution agreed to a non-custodial sentence.
The pardon, which has left many questioning Trump's motives, means that Lewis will not face any further penalties for his crimes. The fine associated with his company, Broad Bay, is also unlikely to be repaid.
According to sources close to the family, Lewis had requested the pardon so he could receive medical treatment and visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the US. The billionaire, who owns a significant stake in Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK's largest operators of pubs, bars, and restaurants, expressed gratitude for the pardon.
However, not everyone is celebrating Lewis' reprieve. Critics have accused Trump of issuing pardons to wealthy individuals with connections to his own interests, sparking calls for greater scrutiny into the pardoning process.
The surprise move has also raised questions about the extent to which Lewis was involved in the insider trading scheme and whether he truly received medical treatment as stated by his representatives. The White House confirmed that Lewis had requested the pardon but refused to provide further details on its motivations.
Lewis, who has built a business empire across the globe, already transferred his majority ownership interest in Tottenham Hotspur FC to his family via a trust in 2022 before being charged with insider trading. His daughter Vivienne and son Charles now oversee the football club, while his great-grandchildren are among those Lewis will be visiting as part of his post-pardon plans.
The pardon marks another significant development in Trump's presidency, which has seen him grant pardons to several high-profile figures accused of crimes such as corruption and treason.
and what's the deal with joe lewis visiting his grandkids and great-grandkids all the time, sounds like a sweet little vacation for him... but at what cost?
. Rich people who have done shady things are just getting off scot-free 
. I mean, what if Lewis didn't even really need a pardon for medical treatment? Was it just an excuse to get his hands on that Tottenham Hotspur FC? 
. I'm sure there are some serious questions being raised about how these pardons work and whether they're even fair 
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i guess its not up to us to question trump's motives anyway what a wild move by him!! 
. Don't get me wrong, I feel for the guy he needs his grandkids etc but 88 and still raking it in? It just feels like more of the same to me. All these pardons Trump's been giving out and people are still gonna question what's going on behind the scenes. Like, is this some kinda quid pro quo deal? Did Lewis do something for Trump or his family in return for this pardon? 
considering how many people have been harshly punished by the justice system in the US.
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it just doesn't seem right that he gets a pardon after already pleading guilty...I don't know if Trump's motives are pure or not, but it does make me wonder if there's more to the story. I mean, Lewis is 88 and has been around for ages, what's the big deal? 
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. and what about all these ppl who gettin' pardoned 4 stuff like treason? seems like trump's more worried 'bout his buddies than doin what's rite 
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Joe Lewis is 88 and he needs to visit his grandkids what's the harm? he already got fined and probation, now he gets to live his life without some burden on him. ppl need to chill 