FBI wants Info from Carl Icahn, Phil Mickelson, Billy Walters regarding Insider Trading

In what could potentially be as big of an insider trading case as Martha Stewart’s ordeal, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Securities and Exchange Commission are currently investigating billionaire Carl Icahn, golfer Phil Mickelson and sports bettor Billy Walters.

As reported by Philly.com (via Reuters), the FBI and SEC want to know whether Walters and Mickelson took private information provided by Icahn and used it to their advantage in the investing world. At this time, none of the three men are being accused of any crimes, though there is some speculation abound right now.

Icahn has already made a public statement in an attempt to clear his name. “I am very proud of my 50-year unblemished record and have never given out insider information,” the stock-trading guru told Reuters. Icahn further explained that he doesn’t even know Mickelson personally, but does have a business relationship with Walters.

The link between Icahn and Mickelson comes from Walters since the latter two play golf together. And an investigation launched involving both men over suspicious trading of the Clorox Co. Their trading activity spiked around the time that Icahn made an offer for the company that valued it above $10 billion, thus sending Clorox’s stock much higher.

Aside from this activity, Mickelson and Walters also piqued the FBI’s suspicions in regard to their Dean Foods Co trades. The questionable trading occurred just before the company announced a set of their quarterly results in 2012. As Reuters reported, this had nothing to do with Icahn since he’s never been involved with Dean Foods.

After news broke of this investigation, Mickelson released a statement that stresses his innocence of any wrongdoing. Here’s a look at what the champion golfer had to say:

I have done absolutely nothing wrong. 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.

This statement doesn’t appear to have kept the investigation at bay since two FBI agents were waiting for Mickelson in the clubhouse at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. As for Walters, he’s maintaining his silence at the current moment. The legendary sports bettor and all-around gambler has declined comment when ed by several major media outlets.