INV-028 · Money & ethics · Pardons
Pardon of Oak View Group founder Tim Leiweke
Stage 1 of 5: Reported · News reporting only · Last development 6 Dec 2025
Tim Leiweke, co-founder and former CEO of Oak View Group, was indicted in July 2025 by Trump's own Justice Department. The single Sherman Act count alleged he rigged bidding for a public-university arena in Austin, Texas (the Moody Center at UT Austin). Trump pardoned him on 2 Dec 2025, before trial. The Wall Street Journal reported that his lawyer, former Rep. Trey Gowdy, raised the case with Trump during a round of golf about three weeks earlier. Oak View Group had given $250,000 toward Trump's 2025 inauguration.
News outlets report the timing and the golf conversation. No official finding links the inaugural donation or Gowdy's access to the pardon.
- People
- Timothy Leiweke, Trey Gowdy, Donald Trump
- Agencies
- White House, Justice Dept
- Reviewed by
- Press
Money involved
- $250,000 Oak View Group to the inauguration (Donations from people with business before the government) [1]
Timeline
Wall Street Journal reports the golf-course conversation that preceded the pardon. [5]
Trump grants Leiweke a full pardon for 'conspiracy to restrain trade' (DOJ clemency list). [3]
Gowdy, Leiweke's lawyer, reportedly raises the case with Trump while golfing (WSJ report, as relayed by The Independent). [5]
DOJ announces a grand jury indictment of Leiweke on one Sherman Act count. It alleges he agreed with a competitor's CEO not to bid on the UT Austin arena project in exchange for subcontracts. OVG agreed to a $15 million penalty. He pleaded not guilty. [2]
Front Office Sports reports Oak View Group donated $250,000 toward Trump's inauguration. [1]
Responses
- Tim Leiweke: Expressed 'profound gratitude' to Trump, calling it 'a long and difficult journey' for his family. [4]
- David Gerger (Leiweke's attorney): Said the pardon 'is the right result.' [6]
- Trey Gowdy: 'I am extremely grateful that the president allowed me to raise that issue with him.' [5]
- White House (Abigail Jackson): 'President Trump is the final decider on any pardon or commutation.' [5]
- Oak View Group: A spokesperson said the company was 'happy for Tim.' [4]
Who is acting on it
- Charges Justice Dept Antitrust Division: Bid-rigging indictment of Leiweke (Jul 2025) (9 Jul 2025, What happened next)
Sources
Cite this case
Public Trust Tracker. "Pardon of Oak View Group founder Tim Leiweke" (INV-028). Last updated 6 Dec 2025. https://publictrusttracker.org/case/inv-028-pardon-of-oak-view-group-founder-tim-leiweke/
Suggest a fact check