US President Donald Trump has announced plans to pardon British billionaire Joe Lewis, who was convicted last year for his involvement in a brazen insider trading scheme. The 88-year-old entrepreneur, who owns Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and Mitchells & Butlers pubs chain, will be granted full immunity from any further prosecution.
Lewis was initially charged with multiple counts of securities fraud and conspiracy after prosecutors accused him of passing on confidential share tips to his employees in exchange for personal profit. He pleaded guilty to reduced charges earlier this year, and a judge subsequently imposed a substantial fine on his company and a relatively light sentence, citing Lewis's "circumstances" as justifying probation.
However, Trump has now announced that he intends to wipe the slate clean, granting Lewis a full pardon in exchange for his guilty plea. The news comes after weeks of speculation and has sparked controversy among some who question why Trump would intervene on behalf of a wealthy businessman with such a high-profile scandal under his belt.
Lewis's lawyer had initially disputed the charges against him, arguing that prosecutors made an "egregious" mistake by bringing them forward. However, after negotiations with the prosecution team, Lewis ultimately agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
The news of Trump's planned pardon has been welcomed by Lewis himself, who expressed his gratitude to the President and stated that he is now free to enjoy his retirement without further worries about his past dealings. His family has also released a statement thanking Trump for taking action on their behalf, describing him as "a visionary" with a legacy that will continue to be built upon by future generations.
While some have expressed skepticism about the motivations behind Trump's decision to pardon Lewis, it remains to be seen how this move will impact public perception of both the former US President and his actions.
Lewis was initially charged with multiple counts of securities fraud and conspiracy after prosecutors accused him of passing on confidential share tips to his employees in exchange for personal profit. He pleaded guilty to reduced charges earlier this year, and a judge subsequently imposed a substantial fine on his company and a relatively light sentence, citing Lewis's "circumstances" as justifying probation.
However, Trump has now announced that he intends to wipe the slate clean, granting Lewis a full pardon in exchange for his guilty plea. The news comes after weeks of speculation and has sparked controversy among some who question why Trump would intervene on behalf of a wealthy businessman with such a high-profile scandal under his belt.
Lewis's lawyer had initially disputed the charges against him, arguing that prosecutors made an "egregious" mistake by bringing them forward. However, after negotiations with the prosecution team, Lewis ultimately agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
The news of Trump's planned pardon has been welcomed by Lewis himself, who expressed his gratitude to the President and stated that he is now free to enjoy his retirement without further worries about his past dealings. His family has also released a statement thanking Trump for taking action on their behalf, describing him as "a visionary" with a legacy that will continue to be built upon by future generations.
While some have expressed skepticism about the motivations behind Trump's decision to pardon Lewis, it remains to be seen how this move will impact public perception of both the former US President and his actions.
I mean, Lewis was guilty, but come on! It just seems weird that Trump is basically wiping his slate clean for someone who, allegedly, played fast and loose with insider trading rules. Did he really think it would be a good PR move? 
And what about the people who got hurt by Lewis's shady dealings? Don't they deserve some kind of justice? 
I guess we'll just have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out...
... I mean, what's next? He's just going to keep doling out pardons like they're candy canes or something?! Joe Lewis, a billionaire who thought he was above the law, gets off scot-free because of a guilty plea and some clever lawyer work 
...
! I mean, I get it, we've got enough problems in our own country to deal with without worrying about a billionaire dodging justice 
. But still, can't the feds just give him a slap on the wrist for insider trading? 
! I'm not buying it - there's gotta be more to this story than what we know right now 
. And let's be real, Trump's got a history of being pretty erratic when it comes to justice 
... but hey, who knows? Maybe he just wants to keep the peace and move on from all this drama 
.
. In the meantime, I'll be over here wondering if anyone else's guilty pleas are being waved away like Lewis' 
Just saw the news about Joe Lewis gettin' a full pardon from Trump