Former Indiana congressman Stephen Buyer got full pardon from President Donald Trump, wiping out his insider trading conviction. Case caught eyes due to stock deals tied to T-Mobile's $23 billion Sprint merger.
Buyer, a Republican who served from 1993 to 2011,was found guilty March 2023 on four securities fraud counts. Prosecutors said he used inside info from consulting to make profitable trades before big corporate news hit.
Allegations focused on Buyer's Sprint stock buys after hearing about T-Mobile-Sprint merger talks from a T-Mobile exec. $23 billion deal was one of largest in U.S. telecom history . Authorities said Buyer gained from Sprint stock jump once news broke.
Feds estimated Buyer made over $100,000 from Sprint trades. They also accused him of using inside info on Navigant Consulting before its 2019 Guidehouse buy. Total profits believed over $300,000 .
In September 2023, Buyer got 22 months in prison. Prosecutors wanted more,arguing he violated client trust and lied at trial . His appeal hit a wall when U.S . Supreme Court rejected it May 2026,upholding conviction .
But Trump's pardon,called "full,complete and unconditional," followed push from numerous lawmakers for clemency. It wipes federal penalties from Buyer's record,adding to Trump's clemency spree in his second term.
Trump's statement highlighted Buyer's military and congressional service,saying his public career was distinguished. Before politics, Buyer was a U.S. Army judge advocate,then moved into legal and consulting post-Congress.
As case echoes on,it stirs debate on scrutiny of Trump's clemency moves and what it means for other lawmakers facing similar charges. Buyer's case standout example of insider trading by ex-Congress member…
