Trump Pardons Executive Indicted by His Own DOJ in Texas Arena Scheme
Austin, TX — Former live-entertainment executive Tim Leiweke — who was indicted in July by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly rigging the bidding process on the Moody Center arena project at the University of Texas — has been granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump.
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The clemency order immediately wipes out the high-profile antitrust case, which originated from Trump’s own DOJ and centered on one of Austin’s largest public-private development projects.
Federal prosecutors accused Leiweke of striking a behind-the-scenes agreement that ensured a rival firm would step aside during the bidding process for the Moody Center, allowing Leiweke’s Oak View Group to secure the contract.
He pleaded not guilty but resigned as OVG’s CEO soon after the indictment.
He faced up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Trump’s decision to pardon an executive charged by his own administration is fueling renewed scrutiny over the wave of white-collar pardons issued in recent weeks.
Legal analysts note this case is unusual because:
The alleged conduct involved a major Austin-based public project.
DOJ prosecutors described the bid-rigging scheme as a serious breach of competitive fairness.
The pardon nullifies one of the administration’s most visible antitrust cases.
The Moody Center, completed through a partnership with the University of Texas, is one of the city’s largest entertainment investments. The original indictment alleged the bidding interference harmed both Austin taxpayers and the university’s contracting process.
With the pardon finalized, the criminal case against Leiweke is closed, and no further legal action is expected.
Oak View Group has since appointed a new CEO as it moves on from the fallout of the indictment.