cmad

Phil Mickelson owed money to his Las Vegas gambling buddy, Billy Walters. Billy gave him a secret stock tip, Phil made $931,000 in a week and paid him back. Billy went to prison for 5 years. Phil was never charged. When Billy got out, he wrote a book about Phil. More than $1 billion in bets, by Billy's count. In the video below, Billy tells ESPN what would have kept him out of prison. Billy spent decades as one of the biggest sports bettors in America. Phil was his golf partner, his friend and a man who owed him money. July 2012. Phil owes Billy gambling money. Billy calls him and tells him to buy Dean Foods. Billy's information came from a Dean Foods board member. He owed Billy money too. A week later, the stock jumped 40%. Phil sold with more than $931,000 in profit. In September, he paid Billy back, partly with that money. The money went in a circle. Only one man went to prison. In 2016, the SEC named Phil a "relief defendant." That means he wasn't accused of anything, but he was holding money that wasn't his to keep. He paid back $1,037,029 and never admitted or denied a thing. In 2017, Billy was convicted and got 5 years. Phil never testified. "All Phil had to do was publicly say it. He refused," Billy wrote. While Billy was inside, his daughter died. He wrote that he still believes he could have saved her if he'd been on the outside. In 2023, his book came out. At least $1 billion wagered. At least $100 million lost. More than 1,115 bets over $100,000. Phil denied one claim: "I never bet on the Ryder Cup." $931,000: what Phil made on the tip. 5 years: what Billy got. $1 billion: what Billy says Phil bet. Phil kept his silence, his career and a reported $200 million LIV deal. Billy kept the receipts.