A prominent Supreme Court lawyer's unexpected retirement from his prestigious legal practice takes a dramatic turn as federal authorities unveil serious criminal charges.
According to CNBC, Tom Goldstein, publisher of SCOTUSblog and renowned Supreme Court advocate, faces federal indictment in Maryland for allegedly evading taxes on over $40 million in poker winnings and misusing law firm funds to settle gambling debts.
The 54-year-old attorney, who has argued numerous high-profile cases before the Supreme Court, including representing Al Gore in Bush v. Gore and Google in its copyright dispute with Oracle, is accused of failing to pay more than $5.3 million in taxes between 2016 and 2021.
The 22-count indictment details Goldstein's involvement in high-stakes poker matches, including a remarkable series of wins totaling $13.8 million in Asia and $26.4 million in Beverly Hills during 2016.
Goldstein's journey from Supreme Court advocate to alleged tax evader reflects his parallel lives in law and poker. His poker career began with ESPN broadcasts that sparked his interest, leading to his participation in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. During a single 18-hour cash game at the Bellagio, he transformed a $12,000 stack of chips into more than $100,000, demonstrating his prowess at the poker table.
The indictment reveals that Goldstein allegedly diverted legal fees from his Bethesda-based firm, Goldstein & Russell, to cover poker-related debts. His law firm, which specialized in appellate litigation, has since been renamed following his departure. The charges also include accusations of making false statements to mortgage lenders in 2021 while seeking financing for a $2.6 million Washington, D.C. home.
Goldstein's attorneys, John Lauro and Christopher Kise, provided their response:
Mr. Goldstein is a prominent attorney with an impeccable reputation. We are deeply disappointed that the government brought these charges in a rush to judgment without understanding all of the important facts.
The indictment alleges that between 2016 and 2022, Goldstein maintained intimate relationships with approximately twelve women, using firm resources to support their travel and expenses while owing substantial sums to the IRS. Four of these women reportedly received health benefits and compensation from his firm despite performing minimal work.
The tax evasion scheme allegedly involved significant underreporting of gambling winnings. In 2016, Goldstein understated his gambling profits by more than $3.9 million, followed by an omission of over $3.4 million in gambling income on his 2017 tax return. The investigation revealed that he used more than $1.1 million in firm funds to settle personal debts, including gambling obligations to other poker players.
Kevin Russell, Goldstein's former law partner, has distanced himself from the situation, emphasizing that his new firm, Russell & Woofter, has no connection to Goldstein and cooperated fully with the government's investigation. The case highlights the complex intersection of professional success and personal conduct in the legal community.
Tom Goldstein's indictment marks a stunning reversal for a legal professional who has appeared before the Supreme Court more frequently than almost any other private practice attorney in recent history.
The Harvard Law School lecturer and SCOTUSblog co-founder now faces multiple charges, including tax evasion, assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, willful failure to pay taxes, and making false statements on loan applications.
These allegations threaten to overshadow his distinguished legal career and influential role in Supreme Court advocacy as federal prosecutors build their case against one of the nation's most prominent appellate lawyers.
