Report: FBI agent leaked pertinent information in Phil Mickelson trading case
The Wall Street Journal and New York Times apparently got info from a FBI official
The Phil Mickelson insider trading story will not die. It seemed to be over after Mickelson paid back more than $1 million to the SEC earlier this year for his role in allegations he received insider tips before purchasing and unloading more than 200,000 shares of Dean Food stock.
The news resurfaced last week, however, according to ESPN. A FBI agent working on the case apparently leaked info to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times about what was happening in the case which was made known because of a letter filed by the Department of Justice on Friday.
In the filing, the government reveals that an agent "admitted that he was a significant source of confidential information leaked to reporters at the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times about the underlying investigation." The disclosure of confidential information could be a violation of criminal procedure. The matter has been referred to the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Justice, and the FBI has reported the agent to its Office of Professional Responsibility, according to the letter.
This should not affect Mickelson as he has effectively been cleared of wrongdoing, but it could affect the man who tipped him off on the Dean Foods stock, gambler William "Billy" Walters. Walters will go on trial starting May 13, 2017.
The puzzle pieces are starting to fit together, too. As you might remember, Mickelson was approached by the FBI at The Memorial a few years ago. One of the men on that case is potentially the leak referenced by the Department of Justice.
"I have done absolutely nothing wrong," Mickelson said at the time. "I have cooperated with the government in this investigation and will continue to do so. I wish I could fully discuss this matter, but under the current circumstances, it's just not possible."
















