Report: Mickelson has millions connected to illegal gambling in money-laundering court case

Phil Mickelson allegedly has nearly $3 million connected to a money-laundering case involving illegal gambling, although the golfer hasn't been charged and is not the subject of a federal investigation.

After retrieving court documents and confirmation from two anonymous sources, Mike Fish and David Purdum of ESPN's Outside The Lines allege that Mickelson transferred money to an outside party who had a hand in placing illegal bets on live sporting events.

Gregory Silveira, a 56-year-old sports gambling handicapper, was part of a high-rolling illegal sports betting ring and pleaded guilty last week to laundering $2.75 million, which the two anonymous sources later identified as the golfer's money.

From Fish and Purdum:

Gregory Silveira of La Quinta reached an agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering of funds from an unnamed "gambling client" of his between February 2010 and February 2013. Sources familiar with the case said Mickelson, who was not named in court documents, is the unnamed "gambling client." Silveira is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 5 before U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips and faces up to 60 years in prison, though the sentence will likely be far shorter.

Neither Mickelson nor his lawyer, Glenn Cohen, commented.

Federal investigators primarily target the leaders of illegal gambling organizations rather than customers. It's not believed that the five-time major champion will face prosecution, according to ESPN legal analyst Lester Munson.