The report states that Mickelson, who has not been charged with a crime, transferred $2.75 million to Gregory Silveira of La Quinta, Calif., in March 2010. Silveira was charged in California federal court of laundering money from an illegal gambling operation. According to court documents, Silveira knew when he received the initial $2.75 million dollars from a gambling client, believed to be Mickelson, into his private Wells Fargo account that the proceeds were for illegal sports betting. Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson transferred nearly $3 million to place illegal bets on sporting events, according to a report on ESPN.com.
- The name Phil Mickelson is not found in any court documents, but according to the ESPN report, the initials “P.M.” were in an initial plea agreement that was filed on May 6, but subsequently withdrawn when a new agreement was filed on June 18. Mickelson’s agency Lagardere Unlimited has been contacted by Golfweek but has not responded to any requests on the matter.
- Last year, Mickelson’s name appeared in a Wall Street Journal story regarding billionaire Carl Icahn and William “Billy” Walters, a Las Vegas bettor, and their involvement in an FBI and Securities and Exchange investigation of insider trading that occurred in 2011 and ’12. At the time, Mickelson confirmed talking to FBI agents and reiterated he had done nothing wrong.
- The PGA Tour has declined comment to Golfweek for this story.
