SEATTLE — President Donald Trump has pardoned a key figure in the development of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

Tim Leiweke was charged with rigging the bidding process for an arena in Texas earlier this year. He pleaded not guilty after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in July.

Prosecutors said Leiweke conspired with a competitor to rig the bidding for construction of the Moody Center at the University of Texas. He faced up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Leiweke was CEO of Oak View Group, which co-owns Climate Pledge Arena alongside the City of Seattle and Seattle Hockey Partners. He stepped down as CEO after the charges were announced.

At the time of his indictment, a spokesperson for the Seattle Kraken said it had “nothing to do with Climate Pledge Arena or th

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