Mickelson's lawyer 'disappointed' by timing of Detroit-area gambling report

Phil Mickelson's lawyer isn't impressed by the timing of a report that ties the six-time major champion to an alleged mob bookie, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.

Mickelson, who's playing in the Rocket Mortgage Classic for the first time this week, was allegedly cheated of $500,000 by the bookie, according to court filings obtained by The Detroit News.

"He didn't say anything (in the story) that wasn't true; I'm not complaining about that," Glenn Cohen, Mickelson's lawyer, told ESPN. "But why? Why are you going to embarrass Phil Mickelson when he's there to support your tournament and the charities it supports and the (PGA) TOUR? Rocket Mortgage is a Detroit-based company. Phil has never played there before.

"I'm disappointed they would curiously pick this week to write an article about a bet that was made over 20 years ago and a jury trial that took place in 2007, where the guy who was convicted is dead and where the only purpose for this article is to embarrass Phil Mickelson."

The report stated that a trial transcript linked Mickelson to Don DeSeranno, "one of the biggest gamblers in Detroit history ... who also handled bets for big shots as a Las Vegas casino host and book from 1994 to 2002."

According to the transcript, DeSeranno was unable to pay Mickelson his winnings.

"Phil and a bunch of buddies were betting on sports and they pooled their money and they made a large bet," Cohen said. "The bottom line is Phil wasn't paid. The guy who took the bet turned out to be a crook and Phil didn't know it. But it's irrelevant. Whether this guy was the worst human being alive or had anything to do with Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance, what is the newsworthiness of this article now? There isn't any."

Cohen said Mickelson has no reason to address the story and was never accused of any wrongdoing.