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Prominent Supreme Court Lawyer Indicted on Tax Evasion and Fraud Charges
Tom Goldstein, a highly regarded attorney and co-founder of SCOTUSblog, has been indicted in Maryland on federal charges of tax evasion and fraud. The indictment alleges Goldstein failed to report millions of dollars in gambling winnings and used his law firm’s funds to cover personal debts, including gambling losses.
According to prosecutors, Goldstein, 54, neglected to pay over $5.3 million in taxes to the IRS between 2016 and 2021. The charges also claim that he understated his gambling income by more than $7 million across multiple tax returns and used over $1.1 million in firm funds to pay off poker-related debts.
A High-Stakes Gambler and Influential Legal Mind
Goldstein, who has appeared before the Supreme Court more frequently than almost any other private attorney in modern times, has a storied legal career. He represented then-Vice President Al Gore during the landmark Bush v. Gore case and successfully defended Google in a Supreme Court case involving Oracle’s copyright claims.
However, his gambling activities have drawn significant attention. The indictment highlights two major poker matches in 2016, where Goldstein reportedly won $13.8 million in Asia and $26.4 million in Beverly Hills. These winnings were allegedly omitted or understated on his tax returns.
An avid poker player, Goldstein once told The Washington Post he became hooked on poker after watching tournaments on ESPN. He gained notoriety at a high-stakes cash game in Las Vegas, turning $12,000 into over $100,000 during an 18-hour session.
Allegations of Misconduct
The indictment further alleges that Goldstein pursued intimate relationships with at least a dozen women between 2016 and 2022, using firm resources to cover travel and expenses for many of them. Four women were allegedly hired by his law firm with benefits but performed little to no work.
Goldstein is also accused of submitting false information on mortgage applications to secure a $2.6 million Washington, D.C. home. He reportedly concealed over $14 million in liabilities, including promissory notes and back taxes owed to the IRS, to obtain a $1.98 million loan.
Legal Defense and Future Plans
Goldstein, who retired from his firm (formerly Goldstein & Russell) earlier this year, denies the charges. His attorneys, John Lauro and Christopher Kise, released a statement calling him “a prominent attorney with an impeccable reputation” and criticized the government for “rushing to judgment without understanding all the facts.” They expressed confidence that Goldstein would be exonerated at trial.
Goldstein faces multiple charges, including tax evasion, filing false tax returns, willful failure to pay taxes, and submitting false statements on loan applications. The case has sent shockwaves through the legal community, given Goldstein’s prominent career and influence in Supreme Court litigation.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/supreme-court-lawyer-tax-evasion-poker-.html
Tom Goldstein, a highly regarded attorney and co-founder of SCOTUSblog, has been indicted in Maryland on federal charges of tax evasion and fraud. The indictment alleges Goldstein failed to report millions of dollars in gambling winnings and used his law firm’s funds to cover personal debts, including gambling losses.
According to prosecutors, Goldstein, 54, neglected to pay over $5.3 million in taxes to the IRS between 2016 and 2021. The charges also claim that he understated his gambling income by more than $7 million across multiple tax returns and used over $1.1 million in firm funds to pay off poker-related debts.
A High-Stakes Gambler and Influential Legal Mind
Goldstein, who has appeared before the Supreme Court more frequently than almost any other private attorney in modern times, has a storied legal career. He represented then-Vice President Al Gore during the landmark Bush v. Gore case and successfully defended Google in a Supreme Court case involving Oracle’s copyright claims.
However, his gambling activities have drawn significant attention. The indictment highlights two major poker matches in 2016, where Goldstein reportedly won $13.8 million in Asia and $26.4 million in Beverly Hills. These winnings were allegedly omitted or understated on his tax returns.
An avid poker player, Goldstein once told The Washington Post he became hooked on poker after watching tournaments on ESPN. He gained notoriety at a high-stakes cash game in Las Vegas, turning $12,000 into over $100,000 during an 18-hour session.
Allegations of Misconduct
The indictment further alleges that Goldstein pursued intimate relationships with at least a dozen women between 2016 and 2022, using firm resources to cover travel and expenses for many of them. Four women were allegedly hired by his law firm with benefits but performed little to no work.
Goldstein is also accused of submitting false information on mortgage applications to secure a $2.6 million Washington, D.C. home. He reportedly concealed over $14 million in liabilities, including promissory notes and back taxes owed to the IRS, to obtain a $1.98 million loan.
Legal Defense and Future Plans
Goldstein, who retired from his firm (formerly Goldstein & Russell) earlier this year, denies the charges. His attorneys, John Lauro and Christopher Kise, released a statement calling him “a prominent attorney with an impeccable reputation” and criticized the government for “rushing to judgment without understanding all the facts.” They expressed confidence that Goldstein would be exonerated at trial.
Goldstein faces multiple charges, including tax evasion, filing false tax returns, willful failure to pay taxes, and submitting false statements on loan applications. The case has sent shockwaves through the legal community, given Goldstein’s prominent career and influence in Supreme Court litigation.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/supreme-court-lawyer-tax-evasion-poker-.html
