TAMPA, Fla. -- Local businessman Eddie DeBartolo and his wife Candy are making a hefty donation to help out Tampa General Hospital.
TGH announced on Tuesday that the couple will donate a total of $7.65 million to the hospital over the course of five months. This week, DeBartolo and his family donated $2.5 million to TGH to help coronavirus patients.
TGH said the couple's donation will help coronavirus relief efforts, hospital programming and technology.
Eddie DeBartolo released the following statement to TGH:
“It is critical that, in times of need, our community members with the means to do so find ways to give back and support our first responders who are on the front lines of this battle," Eddie DeBartolo said in a press release. "I have been so encouraged by the outpouring of love from our community and wanted to do something to honor these health care heroes.'
Earlier in the year, the businessman and former San Francisco 49ers owner was pardoned by President Donald Trump of a 1998 fraud conviction. At the February pardon ceremony, Eddie DeBartolo's son-in-law and Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and several NFL legends -- including Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks -- were in the Oval Office to witness President Trump pardon the controversial businessman.
DeBartolo pleaded guilty on failing to report a felony in 1998 in connection with the corruption involving Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards. Following the controversy surrounding the corruption case, DeBartolo gave control of the 49ers up to his sister Denise York in 2000.