Trump to Pardon Joe Lewis — Former Tottenham Hotspur Owner Able to Return to U.S.

Donald Trump to Pardon Joe Lewis, Former Tottenham Hotspur Owner

Joe Lewis, the 88-year-old British billionaire and founder of the Tavistock Group, is expected to receive a presidential pardon from Donald Trump after pleading guilty to securities-related charges in January 2024. A New York judge fined Lewis $5 million following his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud. Because of his age and health considerations, he avoided prison and in April 2024 was sentenced to three years of probation.

Since his sentencing, Lewis — a United Kingdom citizen and long-time resident of the Bahamas — has been living in the Bahamas. At the time of his plea he understood he would have to leave the United States; the conviction prevented him from returning to see children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live in the U.S.

The presidential pardon will restore Lewis's ability to re-enter the United States and return to Florida, where much of his family resides. The Athletic reports the Lewis family is "extremely grateful" for the pardon and has publicly thanked President Trump.

The pardon is not expected to affect control of Tottenham Hotspur. The Lewis family trust continues to own the English Premier League club and remains committed to the team; family members such as Vivienne Lewis remain regular attendees at matches.

Joe Lewis: "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."

While the pardon removes the immigration barrier that had kept Lewis from returning to the U.S., it does not erase the guilty plea or the financial penalties he faced. Reporting referenced: The Athletic and USA TODAY.