Phil Mickelson is playing in the Shell Houston Open this week, but his name is also being mentioned during the trial of a longtime friend.
During the trial of Las Vegas businessman and renowed sports better William “Billy” Walters, who is facing multiple insider-trading charges, federal prosecutors revealed Thursday that Mickelson once paid a gambling debt of over $1.9 million to Walters.
The prosecution says Mickelson “transferred $1,950,000” to Walters in 2012 to settle a sports gambling debt, according to ESPN.
Walters, who has maintained his innocence, is charged with multiple counts of wire and securities fraud stemming from an investigation into a series of stock trades on dairy company Dean Foods made in 2012. Mickelson was initially targeted in the investigation, but avoided indictment after agreeing to pay back about $1 million in the “ill-gotten gains” from the stock trades.
Mickelson is listed as a witness for Walters, but will not be called to testify.
Walters has been indicted several times in previous cases but never convicted. He owns multiple golf courses in Las Vegas and more than a dozen car dealerships across the country. He and Mickelson have known each other for decades and often play golf together.
Mickelson has won more than $82 million over his career, including $4.2 million in 2012. He made the cut at the Shell Houston Open and is tied for 55th at even par.
