Billionaire Joe Lewis, former owner of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, is set to plead guilty to 19 fraud charges, including securities fraud and conspiracy. Lewis sold over $76 million worth of Bahamas property to FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried.
Insider Trading Allegations
Lewis is accused of assisting his ex-girlfriend and personal pilots in investing in biotech companies before positive news went public. Profits exceeded half a million dollars. He previously pleaded not guilty, claiming the charges were a "serious error in judgment."
Controversial Financial History
Known for shorting the British pound with George Soros in the 1990s, Lewis made billions when the currency collapsed in 1992. He also purchased nearly 10% of Bear Stearns shares before its 2008 collapse, incurring a loss of over a billion dollars.
Ties with Sam Bankman-Fried and Deltec
Lewis and Bankman-Fried's connection extends through Deltec Bank owner Jean Chalopin. Chalopin, the primary banker for FTX, sold property to Lewis in 2014. Lewis retains a residence at The Albany. Chalopin, instrumental in passing the DARE Act in the Bahamas, facilitated the entry of numerous crypto companies.
Deltec's Role in Cryptocurrency Industry
Deltec owner Jean Chalopin credits the bank for bringing the cryptocurrency industry to the Bahamas. Chalopin asserts that without Deltec, the Bahamas wouldn't have a cryptocurrency industry today.
Joe Lewis's impending guilty plea marks a significant development in the insider trading case, shedding light on his controversial financial history and connections within the cryptocurrency industry. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Deltec's pivotal role in shaping the Bahamas' cryptocurrency landscape.