Joe Lewis spared jail time for part in ‘brazen’ insider trading conspiracy

British billionaire who heads family that owns Tottenham Hotspur fined $5m and given three-year probation by New York judge

PROBATION:  British billionaire owner of Tottenham Hotspur Joe Lewis is escorted by his attorneys after leaving Manhattan Federal Court on July 26, 2023 in New York City. Lewis turned himself in after being charged with orchestrating an insider trading scheme to enrich his friends, lovers and employees, including two private jet pilots. Pic:  Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

British billionaire Joe Lewis was spared jail time for his part in a “brazen” insider trading conspiracy on Thursday, and was instead fined $5m and a three-year probation by a New York judge.

The 87-year-old, who heads the family that owns Tottenham Hotspur, had faced as much as 45 years in prison if convicted at trial. But in a court filing on Monday, prosecutors said Lewis deserved leniency given his age, health issues and the fact that he had voluntarily come to the US to face punishment.