New York Times (Grudgingly) Admits They Misfired On Phil Mickelson's Part In Insider Trading Story

The Matthew Goldstein and Ben Protess story which, while still suggesting Phil Mickelson may have issues related to his Dean Foods trades that netted him $1 million (to Billy Walters' $15 million), includes this:

“The new details, provided in the interviews with the people briefed on the matter, indicate that Mr. Mickelson’s ties to the investigation are weaker than previously reported.”

My analysis at GolfDigest.com's The Loop.

Comments

[KLG]

Today: A version of this article appears in print on 06/12/2014, on page B1 of the New York edition with the headline: Golfer’s Role in Trading Said to Be Overstated.

The original: A version of this article appears in print on 05/31/2014, on page A1 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Investor, Bettor, Golfer: Inquiry Into Big Names.

[DTF]

Good ol' New York Times....they never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

[GolfFan]

We need to be reminded that the NYT is irrelevant?

[No Longer]

New York Times channeling SNL's Emily Litella (Gilda Radner) getting it dead wrong, yelling and screaming, finding out they are wrong and meekly saying: ................. "never mind."

[so]

The New Yorik Times is a disgrace. A rag for the faux elite.

[v60golfer]

this is pretty typical of ALL news organizations. The more insidious way to report the news is the gish gallop technique.

[Ron]

He should sue the IRS, SEC, NYT and WSJ. This was an egregious and irresponsible act -- verging on, if not outright, character assassination. Beyond the golf course, his character is essential to his income. Not to mention that they dragged him through the mud at a critical juncture of his on course career, mere days before the US Open. Those responsible in the government and in the media should lose their jobs.

[The Pro From Dover]

"We need to be reminded that the NYT is irrelevant?" +1


@v60golfer +2

[RickABQ]

The NYT is not quite yet irrelevant, despite their determined attempts to become so. Somewhere, Jill Abramson is laughing her a$$ off.

[Dave]

@v60golfer ready...fire...aim

[BrianS]

@ Ron- my guess is that as soon as the Dean Foods item is put to bed as well, those may be pending. On the other hand, it might just be a good idea for Phil to leave these folks in peace - retractions get issued, and so on.

[Sam Sung]

Ron, +1

[Buffett]

If the Dean Foods issue goes away, Phil should sue with the stated intention of donating to a charity the amount of damages awarded to him .

[Joe Duffer]

Ron: -1. The government agents, FBI and/or SEC, approached him to arrange a meeting with him for his statement as he was a least a potential witness. Phil is technically a Jet Setter and difficult to track down. Approaching him AFTER his round of golf -- technically after his day at work is totally fair play. I don't believe the government ever painted PHil negatively, and if you asked the government about this they would issue the standard " neither confirm or deny " statement. Hate the government much do you? Didn't the Wall Street Journal report on this first on May 31? And we know who owns the WSJ.

[T Money]

"And we know who owns the WSJ.' who does own the WSJ?

They certainly could have had him come to their office. Coming to the golf course was done simply in an attempt to intimidate.

[Ron]

First of all, I should have mentioned the FBI and not the IRS, because I think it was they who were involved with the investigation instead. I was not questioning the fact that they interviewed Phil, whether in an airport or after a round. My issue is that his name was given to the press in a vague and reckless manner even though he was apparently not a target of the probe and had not been charged with a crime. No, I don't hate the government -- I am a retired military officer and swore to defend the Constitution and support the President and his administration, as a matter of fact. What I do hate is irresponsible agents of our goverenment who have seemingly used their positions to tarnish the reputation of another citizen. What I hate as much are members of the press who give legs to such stories based on "inside" information from unmamed sources. Isn't that type of insider activity just as bad as insider trading?

[Ron]

May 31 = 12 days ago .... Also, the WSJ and NYT didn't simply arrive at this story independently and organically. Someone involved from the government end had to feed them the info and the names.

[v60golfer]

dave dont shoot the messenger

[Formerly Known As Ron]

Hey, I picked the name Ron because I didn't think anyone else was using it!
That's ok, you can have it. Back to the drawing board.

[Woody]

Phil, the great white hope, is INNOCENT!!!!! Yeah!!!!!! Now we can go back to hating that swarthy Woods fellow.

[Joe Duffer]

T Money - the skum- bag who owned the newspaper in London that hacked voicemail accounts also owns the WSJ

[Joe Duffer]

Looks like Phil has much better lawyers and common sense than Martha Stewart who was involved in similar incident

[GolfFan]

The retraction is always lost after the news of _______.

[Digger]

It should be interesting when he can finally talk about it.