British billionaire and former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis is set to be officially pardoned by US President Donald Trump, a move that draws a line under his recent legal troubles.
The Insider Trading Conviction
Lewis, who transferred ownership of the North London football club to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022, was fined $5 million (£3.8 million) last year. The penalty came after the businessman pleaded guilty to charges of insider trading.
The White House is scheduled to formally publish the pardon for Lewis later today.
A New Era for Tottenham Hotspur
This development coincides with a significant leadership transition at the football club. The Lewis family assumed full operational control of Tottenham this year, following the departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy in September after nearly a quarter of a century at the helm.
A spokesperson for the club confirmed that Lewis will not be returning to a role at Tottenham. Instead, the club will continue to be managed by the next generation of the family.
The day-to-day operations are now led by Joe Lewis’s daughter Vivienne, his son Charles, and Vivienne’s husband Nick Beucher. They are supported by non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Lewis's Response and Legacy
Expressing his relief, Lewis stated: “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.”
A source close to the Lewis family echoed this sentiment, adding their gratitude for the presidential action. “Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action,” the source said. “Over his long business career, Joe has been a visionary, creating businesses across the world which multiple generations of his family are now taking forward. This is why there is so much more to the Joe Lewis story than this one event.”
With the pardon granted, the chapter on Lewis's legal issues is closed, allowing him to focus on his retirement while his family steers the future of their vast business interests, including the famous Premier League club.
