By Blessing Nweke
President Donald Trump has pardoned Tim Leiweke, the former chief executive of Oak View Group, months after the longtime sports and entertainment executive was indicted on a federal conspiracy charge connected to a major arena project at the University of Texas at Austin.
Leiweke, 68, who stepped down as CEO in July but remains a shareholder in the company, said he felt “profound gratitude” for the pardon, calling the decision “a new lease on life” for him and his family. “This has been a long and difficult journey for my wife, my daughter, and me,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
A federal grand jury indicted Leiweke in July, accusing him of conspiring with a competing firm to rig the bidding process for the $375 million Moody Center, a 15,000-seat arena that hosts major concerts and athletic events. Prosecutors alleged that the competitor agreed not to bid in exchange for subcontracts once the project moved forward. Leiweke pleaded not guilty, while Oak View Group agreed to pay $15 million in connection with the case.
David Gerger, one of Leiweke’s attorneys, praised the pardon, calling it “the right result.” It remains unclear whether Leiweke or anyone connected to him actively sought the presidential intervention.
The move comes as Trump, in his second term, has resumed granting pardons after a temporary halt meant to strengthen internal review procedures. Critics have said the clemency process had increasingly become influenced by high-powered lobbying efforts.
Leiweke is the latest in a growing list of high-profile figures to receive clemency from Trump in recent months. Last month, Trump pardoned British billionaire Joe Lewis, who pleaded guilty to insider trading charges, and issued symbolic pardons to several allies involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, John Eastman and Mark Meadows.
Trump also announced Wednesday that he would pardon Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, who faces bribery and money-laundering charges, and previously commuted the seven-year sentence of former Rep. George Santos.
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