Former 49ers owner DeBartolo pardoned by Trump for gambling license bribe

President Donald Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of several convicted felons, including former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.

DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to gambling fraud charges following a Louisiana investigation. He stepped down from his position as head of the 49ers operations when two Louisiana newspapers reported that he would be indicted on gambling fraud.

DeBartolo was charged with failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license. DeBartolo was not sentenced to prison, but was fined $1 million and was suspended by the NFL for a year. When the suspension ended he turned over operations to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York. The team is currently run by his nephew, John York.

On hand for the pardon ceremony were several former San Francisco 49ers players, including Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott, as well as Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.