Another day, another Phil Mickelson/Dean Foods insider trading trial update. Only a few weeks ago, Lefty’s name was mentioned by both the defense and the prosecution as a key witness in the ongoing federal case against notorious Las Vegas gambler Billy Walters. However, earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Lefty will not testify during the trial:
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson won’t be called to testify at gambler Billy Walters’s insider-trading trial because he’d invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, a defense lawyer told a judge.
The disclosure came at a sidebar conference between lawyers and the judge as they discussed whether the golfer would testify. Mickelson has become a titillating sideshow in the criminal case against Walters, 70, who’s accused of reaping about $43 million by trading on inside tips provided by Tom C. Davis, the former chairman of Dean Foods Co.
Phil Mickelson won’t be called to testify at gambler Billy Walters’s insider-trading trial, defense lawyer says https://t.co/ePtzOTfyTX pic.twitter.com/42hISm7bNU
— Bloomberg (@business) March 27, 2017
“He is on our witness list, but we understand from his counsel he would invoke his Fifth Amendment if called,” attorney Barry Berke said, according to a transcript of the conference. “So he will not be called as a witness, although his name will be mentioned.”
Mickelson isn’t accused of wrongdoing and his invocation of the Fifth Amendment would not be evidence he did anything improper.
Last year, Mickelson wasn’t charged with any misconduct in the Dean Foods suit, but he was named as a relief defendant and ordered to repay more than $1 million in profits tied to a stock trade he made.
Phil said the case is “not even a thought” last week at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play where he lost in the quarterfinals to Bill Haas. He is expected to tee it up this week at the Shell Houston Open before heading to the Masters.
— — —
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.
