Report: Mickelson tied to money laundering, gambling case

[Broncosballer32]

Phil Mickelson wired millions of dollars to a middleman, who then laundered that money as part of "an illegal gambling operation which accepted and placed bets on sporting events," according to a report from ESPN's Outside the Lines.

According to the report, Mickelson transferred the money to 56-year-old Greg Silveira of La Quinta, Calif., who has pleaded guilty to three federal counts of money laundering as part of a plea deal. Silveira pled guilty to laundering $2.75 million that he says belonged to Mickelson, according to the report.

The plea deal centers around three wire transfers from March 2010 to February 2013 connected to Silveira. In 2010, Silveira first accepted a $2.75 million wire transfer into a Wells Fargo Bank account from a "gambling client," identified in the report as Mickelson. That money was then transferred in two installments – first $2.475 million, then $275,000 – into another of Silveira's bank accounts. Finally, Silveira transferred $2.475 million into another account he controlled with JP Morgan Chase Bank. Those transfers constitute money laundering.

Report: Mickelson tied to money laundering, gambling case | Devil Ball Golf - Yahoo Sports

This could get pretty weird. I know there has been an investigation for a while now, but this is not looking good.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Phil Mickelson wired millions of dollars to a middleman, who then laundered that money as part of "an illegal gambling operation which accepted and placed bets on sporting events," according to a report from ESPN's Outside the Lines.

According to the report, Mickelson transferred the money to 56-year-old Greg Silveira of La Quinta, Calif., who has pleaded guilty to three federal counts of money laundering as part of a plea deal. Silveira pled guilty to laundering $2.75 million that he says belonged to Mickelson, according to the report.

The plea deal centers around three wire transfers from March 2010 to February 2013 connected to Silveira. In 2010, Silveira first accepted a $2.75 million wire transfer into a Wells Fargo Bank account from a "gambling client," identified in the report as Mickelson. That money was then transferred in two installments – first $2.475 million, then $275,000 – into another of Silveira's bank accounts. Finally, Silveira transferred $2.475 million into another account he controlled with JP Morgan Chase Bank. Those transfers constitute money laundering.

Report: Mickelson tied to money laundering, gambling case | Devil Ball Golf - Yahoo Sports

This could get pretty weird. I know there has been an investigation for a while now, but this is not looking good.

No...it doesn't look good, but given the time frame of the investigation, if they really had anything concrete on Phil I think they would have it buttoned up by now and gone after him.

 

[Dutchis59]

Although the final plea agreement reached between Silveira and the U.S. Department of Justice does not name the "gambling client," an initial plea agreement signed last month by Silveira and his attorney, James D. Henderson Sr., contained a reference to the "money laundering of funds from P.M." After Outside the Lines inquired about Mickelson's potential role in the case, the U.S. Attorney's Office on June 17 filed a motion to have the original plea agreement stricken. The next day, it filed an amended version minus any reference to "P.M."

It is standard Department of Justice policy for documents not to mention third parties who are not criminally charged. Henderson, a high-powered Los Angeles attorney whose gambling-related clients have included offshore sportsbook pioneer Ron "Cigar" Sacco, told Outside the Lines he didn't "know anything about 'P.M.'" and declined to comment further, citing a nearly four-decade practice of not talking to the media about cases.

Two sources, though, told Outside the Lines that the client was Mickelson.

Those two sources ESPN has better be right or they got themselves in a whole bunch of hot water again with their form of journalistic sensationalism

 

[gohusk]

From how I read it it sounds like the 3.5 million that Phil lost is what was laundered. Guy's apparently as bad as money mayweather when it comes to gambling.

 

[R.J. MacReady]

From how I read it it sounds like the 3.5 million that Phil lost is what was laundered. Guy's apparently as bad as money mayweather when it comes to gambling.

Please post the link to that. I can't find anything that covers specifics of that money.

 

[GNG]

This guy obviously took advantage of Phil.

 

[gohusk]

Please post the link to that. I can't find anything that covers specifics of that money.

Just my reading of it

Nearly $3 million transferred from golfer Phil Mickelson to an intermediary was part of "an illegal gambling operation which accepted and placed bets on sporting events," according to two sources and court documents obtained by Outside the Lines.

Sounds like he was paying up on a gambling debt. Could be wrong though.

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Did Phil bet on other golfers? IF SO, he aint gettin into the GOLF HALL OF FRAME!

signed

Pete Rose

 

[gohusk]

Phil's a real smart guy. I'm sure he's smart enough to just claim gambling winnings on his tax returns. And that stuff all equals out in the end. Besides very few people that are extremely talented, the only guys that get rich off of sports betting are the bookies.