Billionaire Joe Lewis, known for founding the company that owns the Tottenham Hotspur English soccer team, has pleaded guilty to securities fraud in a federal court in Manhattan. This admission marks a significant fall from grace for a figure long associated with business success and sports management.

Prosecutors revealed that Lewis had engaged in insider trading, sharing confidential information from publicly traded companies where he held significant investments with acquaintances. This circle included pilots, assistants, and romantic partners who leveraged this information to make substantial profits by trading securities before the information became public.

Upon entering his guilty plea to three counts of securities fraud, Lewis expressed deep remorse in court. According to Bloomberg, he stated that he was “so embarrassed” by his actions and fully acknowledged that what he did was wrong.

Mark Herr, a spokesman for Lewis, later commented that while Lewis acknowledged his role in the illicit stock trades of those close to him, he did not engage in improper trading in his accounts. Herr emphasized that Lewis’s actions should be considered in the broader context of his life’s accomplishments and integrity. At nearly 87 years old, Lewis is said to be deeply apologetic and embarrassed, extending his apologies to the court, his family, and his dependents.

Each count of securities fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has yet to be determined.

This guilty plea represents a stark contrast to the stance taken six months earlier when Lewis’s lawyer vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The lawyer described the charges as an “egregious error in judgment” against an “86-year-old man of impeccable integrity.”

Lewis’s business empire managed through the Bahamas-based Tavistock Group, spans over 200 companies, including country clubs, real estate developments, and a UK pub chain. His net worth, as estimated by Bloomberg, stands at $6.55 billion.

For investors and business leaders, this case serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of insider trading and the importance of adhering to ethical standards in financial dealings. Lewis’s admission brings to light the risks and potential downfalls inherent in the misuse of privileged information, emphasizing the need for transparency and integrity in the world of finance and business.