Tom Goldstein, a renowned attorney before the U.S. Supreme Court, who also led a secret life as a professional poker player, has been handed a six-year prison term due to tax and mortgage fraud.
Pictured: Tom Goldstein, who has argued over 40 cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, now faces repercussions from a tax and mortgage fraud case. (Image: Wikicommons via Legaleagle22)
Goldstein, aged 56, was found guilty by a federal jury in Maryland in February for evading millions in taxes derived from his poker earnings as well as providing false information on mortgage applications.
Throughout his legal career, Goldstein argued over 40 cases at the Supreme Court and was a key member of Al Gore’s legal team during the landmark 2000 presidential election case Bush v. Gore.
In the poker realm, he participated in some of the largest high-stakes cash games globally, amassing and losing tens of millions of dollars.
$50 Million in Winnings
Goldstein’s poker ventures reached phenomenal heights in 2016 when he participated in a series of heads-up contests against three exceptionally wealthy players: private equity tycoon Alec Gores and two enigmatic Asian gamblers identified merely as “the Chairman” and “Tango.”
Testimonies at the trial revealed that these matches yielded approximately $50 million in winnings; however, Goldstein retained just 25% of the profits after selling 75% of his action to backers.
In the end, Goldstein claimed to have lost about $10 million during his poker journey. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, asserting that he managed his financial affairs in good faith and attributed any discrepancies in tax reporting to mistakes made by himself, his accountant, or office managers. Nonetheless, the jury convicted him on 12 out of the 16 counts he faced.
‘I’ve Suffered Consequences’
According to Bloomberg, Goldstein became emotional while addressing the judge prior to his sentencing.
“Without a doubt, I have let many people down, I have not met the ethical standards expected of someone in my position as a lawyer, and I have caused others significant distress,” he remarked.
I will face the consequences for that,” he continued. “The destruction of my life, my family, my career has already served as punishment.”
During sentencing, Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby characterized Goldstein’s actions as “grave and concerning, not only in their nature but also in their scope.” However, she commended his philanthropic efforts, noting that SCOTUSblog, which Goldstein co-founded, is “revolutionary and has significantly transformed our legal community and our discussions surrounding the law.”
Prosecutors advocated for an eight-year prison sentence, while Goldstein’s defense argued for leniency, suggesting that probation and restitution would suffice.
“A crucial factor in this case is Mr. Goldstein’s long-standing and severe gambling addiction,” they argued.
Goldstein plans to challenge both his conviction and the sentence imposed.
Philip Conneller has spent eight years with Casino.org, reporting on the gaming sector from Las Vegas to Macau and beyond. He concentrates on subjects like gaming law, white-collar crime, international money laundering, tribal gaming, and regulatory issues.
Previously, Philip served as the original features editor for poker’s Bluff Magazine and helped launch Bluff Europe as its editor. His work has appeared in reputable publications such as ESPN, Forbes, Time Out, The Sun, and The Daily Star, along with various industry news and tech platforms.
His articles for Casino.org/news have been referenced by major outlets like The Washington Post, The Daily Mail, People Magazine, and Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, among others.
A notable poker moment for Philip includes winning $20,000 with a 7-2 off-suit hand. Additionally, he has found himself unwittingly playing Elton John’s piano on two separate occasions across both sides of the Atlantic.
He pursued writing as a career after realizing he wasn’t the best pianist.
Based outside London, Philip lives with his wife and children and spends much of his free time worrying about Arsenal FC.
