High-Stakes Poker Player and Prominent Lawyer Tom Goldstein Receives 6-Year Prison Sentence

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By Mrinal Gujare
2 hours ago
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  • Supreme Court lawyer Tom Goldstein sentenced to 6 years for tax and financial crimes
  • Convicted of hiding poker winnings, falsifying loan documents, and improper firm payments
  • Taken into custody immediately; judge stressed breach of public trust
Tom Goldstein
Image by Danny Maxwell / Pokernews
Prominent Supreme Court attorney Tom Goldstein received a six-year prison sentence for tax and financial crimes related to high-stakes poker winnings. Convicted of concealing millions in earnings, lying on loan documents, and improper firm payments, he was taken into custody immediately.

Washington appellate attorney Tom Goldstein was sentenced on Friday to six years in federal prison for tax and financial crimes linked to his secondary career as a high-stakes poker player. 

The sentencing caps a high-profile case involving a prominent litigator who has argued major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Lydia Griggsby handed down the sentence following a day-long hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland. 

Goldstein, 56, previously stood trial in the Washington suburb for six weeks earlier this year, exposing his routine of traveling globally for poker games featuring millions of dollars in stakes.

"Every American understands that they have an obligation to pay taxes," Judge Griggsby stated, noting that the evidence demonstrated Goldstein willfully violated his tax obligations.

Describing Goldstein as "brilliant by all accounts," Judge Griggsby expressed disappointment in his actions and ordered him to surrender immediately. Citing a risk of flight and determining that any appeal would be unsuccessful, the judge remarked, "I don't think this is a close case."

Prior to hearing his sentence, Goldstein addressed the court, expressing regret and choking up during his statement.

"There is no question that I have deeply disappointed people, that I have not held myself to the standards that I should be held to, as somebody who's a lawyer and a prominent lawyer," Goldstein said.

Although Goldstein denied being a flight risk and requested permission to surrender voluntarily, he was taken into custody and left the courtroom in handcuffs.

Goldstein was originally charged in January 2025 with concealing earnings and losses from high-stakes poker games played both in the United States and internationally. 
Despite pleading not guilty, a federal jury convicted him in February on charges of failing to report millions of dollars in poker winnings, lying on mortgage loan documents, and executing improper payments through his former law firm, Goldstein & Russell.

Federal prosecutors sought a sentence exceeding eight years alongside an order for $3.1 million in restitution for unpaid taxes. 

Goldstein’s defense team advocated for a sentence of supervision, arguing it would enable him to repay his debts, address his gambling addiction, and contribute positively to society.
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