Trump pardons Tampa real estate mogul Edward DeBartolo
Edward DeBartolo Jr., owner of Tampa’s DeBartolo Holdings and former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, received a presidential pardon Tuesday.
DeBartolo agreed to pay up to $1 million in fines and gave up ownership of the NFL team, after pleading guilty in 1998 to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license, according to ESPN.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday, pardoning DeBartolo.
“Mr. DeBartolo did not allow his conviction to define his life,” a statement from the White House said. “He remained a generous philanthropist and passionate supporter of numerous charitable causes, including charter schools like the Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School, and anti-gang violence initiatives. His exceptional compassion and warmth define his character to this day.”
DeBartolo has for many years led the list of Tampa-St. Petersburg residents on the Forbes 400, a list of wealthiest Americans. Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.6 billion as of Feb. 18.
As of mid-day Tuesday, the president had not posted a Tweet about the pardon, but there was plenty of comment on Twitter about the action, both pro and con.
Trump has just pardoned former 49ers owner DeBartolo to the delight of Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott and many more
— Adam Breer 🇺🇸 (@AdamBreer) February 18, 2020
Trump has pardoned Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the former owner of the 49ers who bribed a Louisiana governor.
“I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” Rice said. pic.twitter.com/pbnki2dqaq
— Constitutional Republic TEXT TRUMP 88022 (@CRRJA5) February 18, 2020
You do understand that DeBartolo didn’t extort anybody, he was the one who got extorted? He was victimized by the former gov. of LA, then punished by the system because he didn’t report the crime. That and his good works might have something to do with his pardon, ya think?
— Brenda Pipher (@vinsmouse) February 18, 2020
How much $ did DeBartolo’s and Blago’s camps contribute to the pres’ election campaign? Wanna bet Trump’s shaking down Stone for the price of a pardon? Justice is become transactional and fungible.
— Jean-Louis (@LeFiffre) February 18, 2020
What in the world did DeBartolo do to deserve a pardon? How about pardoning some wrongly convicted poor people that have rotted in prison forever. https://t.co/ezxC39r5CP
— Charlie Meredith (@chbmeredith) February 18, 2020
