Former owner of Tottenham Hotspur, Joe Lewis, is poised to receive an official pardon from the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Lewis transferred ownership of Spurs to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022 after being fined £4 million for insider trading. Despite the pardon, he has no plans to return to the north London club.
In 2024, Lewis was spared jail time following a plea for leniency based on his health and guilty plea earlier that year. President Trump has been granting several pardons since taking office, with Lewis being the latest recipient, as reported by The Telegraph.
A presidential pardon in the U.S. forgives a federal crime, halting further punishment and restoring civil rights. Although Lewis could have faced up to two years in prison, he will not serve any time behind bars.
The official announcement of Lewis’ pardon by the White House is expected today. Lewis expressed relief that this chapter is now closed, allowing him to retire and watch his family continue the business legacy of excellence that they have established.
The Lewis family assumed full control of Tottenham after Daniel Levy’s departure, ensuring the club will operate under the Lewis name while Joe remains in retirement. The current Tottenham hierarchy includes Joe’s daughter Vivienne, son Charles, and Vivienne’s husband Nick Beucher. Eric Hinson recently joined as a non-executive director to work alongside non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Levy’s tenure as chairman of Tottenham concluded in September after nearly 25 years. His departure signaled a shift towards a more conventional organizational structure for the club.
In a statement confirming his exit, Levy expressed pride in the club’s achievements and thanked the staff, players, and fans for their support throughout his tenure. He emphasized his ongoing dedication to the club despite stepping down.
