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The British billionaire was fined five million US dollars (£3.8 million) after he pleaded guilty last year to insider trading.
Joe Lewis (left) has been pardoned by Us President Donald Trump (Nick Potts/PA)
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Former Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis has been pardoned by US President Donald Trump, after he was fined millions last year over insider trading.
The British billionaire, who handed ownership of the club to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022, was fined five million US dollars (£3.8 million) after he pleaded guilty in January 2024 to charges alleging he had committed securities fraud and conspired to commit securities fraud by insider trading.
A White House official confirmed the pardon and said Lewis, 88, requested it so that he could receive medical treatment and visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the US, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Tottenham Hotspur owner Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis in the stands (Mike Egerton/PA)
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He had initially denied the charges of securities fraud and conspiracy with which he was faced.
According to prosecutors, he passed secrets to romantic partners, personal assistants and friends.
The information allowed them to bet on companies in which he had invested, using information only those with access to the business could have known.
The Lewis family took full operational control of Tottenham this year, after former chairman Daniel Levy stepped down.
Lewis will not be returning to the club, which will continue to be run by the next generation of the Lewis family.
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.”
A source close to the family added: “Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action.
“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.”
Lewis built his wealth through the investment company Tavistock Group, and bought a controlling stake in Tottenham Hotspur in 2001.
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In 2022 he ceded control of the club and formally handed his stake to a family trust and has no day-to-day involvement with the club.
Spurs is now run by Joe Lewis’s daughter Vivienne, his son Charles, and Vivienne’s husband Nick Beucher, as well as non-executive chairman Peter Charrington and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Mr Levy stepped down as chairman of the club in September after nearly 25 years.
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Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after being banned from driving for speeding
Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after driving ban
Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after being banned from driving for speeding
Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after driving ban
Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after being banned from driving for speeding
Kirsty Gallacher says judge has 'no empathy' after driving ban
Lewis family ‘extremely grateful’ for intervention of US president but there will be no change at Spurs
Joe Lewis last year pleaded guilty to insider trading in America
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Matt Verri
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Joe Lewis will not make a return to Tottenham after he receives a pardon from US President Donald Trump.
The 88-year-old was fined £4million last year but avoided prison after pleading guilty to insider trading.
Trump has made regular use of presidential pardons since returning to office in January and Lewis will be among the latest to benefit.
But there will be no change as a result at Spurs.
Lewis' children Vivienne (pictured) Charles are the key figures at Spurs along with Nick Beucher, Vivienne's son-in-law
AFP via Getty Images
Lewis passed ownership of the club to the Lewis Family Trust in 2022 and has not been involved since then.
A source close to the Lewis family said: “Joe and the Lewis family are extremely grateful for this pardon and would like to thank President Trump for taking this action.
"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. There is so much more to the Joe Lewis story than this one event.”
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However, it is understood that this will not spark any change in how Spurs are run, with Lewis intending to remain retired even after his pardon.
The next generation of his family are now the controlling force at Spurs after taking an increasingly active role earlier this year.
Lewis' children Vivienne and Charles have been in attendance at matches this season and along with Nick Beucher, Vivienne's son-in-law, are the key figures at the helm.
The younger members of the family drove the decision to remove Daniel Levy in September and have overseen the implementation of a new boardroom structure at the club, led by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Peter Charrington and Eric Hinson have been brought in as non-executive chairman and a non-executive director respectively.
There has been an emphasis on trying to deliver more regular success to Spurs and the club's majority owners injected £100m of new capital last month.
A source close to the family told Standard Sport at the time that this was "initial additional funding" and more money would be made available "as the club's management decides what's needed to deliver success".
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The former Spurs captain, who last season guided the club to their first major trophy in 17 years, joined Major League Soccer side LAFC over the summer.
Son has hit the ground running in Los Angeles, scoring 10 goals and adding three assists in 12 games to date.
The league season concludes in December with the MLS Cup, which Son's LAFC remain in contention to win, before the 2026 campaign begins in February.
That break would allow Son to return to Spurs on loan in January to maintain his fitness, which the likes of Thierry Henry and David Beckham did during their spells in north America.
But Son is not interested in a loan move away from LA, not in January "or ever", and does not wish to disrespect his current club with transfer talk.
He told TV Chosun: "I've never spoken to any club about a winter move. Such talk is simply untrue. For me, showing respect to my club and giving everything where I play — that's what matters most. That won't change.
"I won't leave LAFC this winter, or ever, while I'm here. I respect this club deeply. As long as I'm wearing this badge, there will be no such thing as a loan or a move. Never.
"I know fans get confused when rumours fly, but those stories aren't true. And honestly, it might be disrespectful to my team to even talk that way. I love this club, and I have huge respect for everyone here."
Young defender has already revealed where he hopes to play next season
On the rise: Luka Vuskovic
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Matt Verri
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Luka Vuskovic revealed Tottenham have been keeping close tabs on him during his loan spell at Hamburg, though he admitted he is unsure when he will return to the club.
The 18-year-old has shone in his first few months in Germany, winning back-to-back Bundesliga rookie of the month awards.
Vuskovic has quickly become a fan favourite at Hamburg and has suggested he would be open to spending another season at the club, so he could play with his brother, Mario, who is currently serving a doping ban until November 2026.
He told Croatian outlet MAXSport last month: “I would like to play with him one day, I hope that works out. I would like to stay at HSV for another season and play with my brother.”
Luka Vuskovic playing for Hamburg
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The centre-back is set to make his first start for Croatia against the Faroe Islands on Friday night, and ahead of the career landmark, he provided an update on his future.
“I’m happy with everything at HSV," Vuskovic said.
"My grades are good, even above expectations. My team-mates are great, everyone supports me and I have no bad words or criticism. I just need to keep going.
“I hear from [Tottenham], they follow me. They are a good club when it comes to developing young players. I don’t know when I will be back.”
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Spurs have at times been short at centre-back this season, with Cristian Romero recently having a spell on the sidelines and Radu Dragusin, Kota Takai and Ben Davies all yet to play a minute under manager Thomas Frank.
However, there are no plans for Vuskovic to be recalled from his loan with Spurs unsurprisingly keen for the teenager to keep developing at Hamburg with regular football.
Luka Vuskovic playing for Hamburg
AFP via Getty Images
The Bundesliga club's sporting director, Claus Costa, has no concerns over the possibility of Vuskovic's loan spell ending prematurely.
"We had very constructive discussions with Tottenham," Costa said.
"They’re a top-professional club, judging by the communication with loan manager Andy Scoulding. They’re closely monitoring the player, which shows how they assess Luka. Tottenham isn’t interested in weakening us or ruining the loan.
"It’s understandable that they’re trying to protect themselves against possible worst-case scenarios. Otherwise, I don’t want to comment further.
"I believe Tottenham also knows how good the situation here is for Luka. That’s why I hope we never get into a situation where we have to think about anything else."
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