Tim Leiweke, Oak View Group Co-Founder and Former CEO, Receives Presidential Pardon

President Trump has pardoned Tim Leiweke, co-founder and former CEO of Oak View Group, a global leader in venue development, management and premium hospitality services for the live event industry and Pollstar parent company. Though the news broke on Wednesday Dec. 3, according to an online posting, the “full and unconditional pardon” was issued Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Last June, Leiweke was indicted for alleged misconduct related to the bidding process for building the University of Texas’s Moody Center, charges Leiweke vehemently denied. Nonetheless, in July he stepped down as head of Oak View Group with the company agreeing to pay $15 million in penalties while admitting no wrongdoing.

When reached for comment, an Oak View Group spokesperson wrote the following: “We are happy for Tim that he can now put this matter behind him. OVG has remained steadfastly focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients under the leadership of our CEO Chris Granger.”

Granger, on Tuesday (Dec. 2) was officially named Oak View Group CEO after serving as Interim CEO following Leiweke’s departure. He was formerly the president of OVG360.

In a previous statement to the OVG staff following the federal charges, Leiweke said the suit was “wrong on the facts and the law and a misguided attempt to criminalize the lawful, ethical, and procompetitive efforts of complementary businesses joining forces to deliver a compelling proposal.”