Thomas C. Goldstein, a prominent appellate attorney and co-founder of SCOTUSblog, was sentenced today to six years in federal prison for tax evasion and mortgage fraud. The sentencing, handed down by U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby in Greenbelt, Maryland, follows Goldstein’s conviction earlier this year on multiple felony counts, including tax evasion, assisting in the preparation of false tax returns, willful failure to pay taxes, and making false statements to mortgage lenders.
Goldstein, 55, was found guilty in February of concealing millions of dollars in income derived from high-stakes poker games and using his law firm’s funds to cover personal gambling debts. Prosecutors revealed that between 2016 and 2022, Goldstein participated in poker matches where he won and lost tens of millions of dollars, yet failed to report substantial portions of his winnings to the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, he was accused of creating fraudulent employment arrangements to provide health insurance to individuals with whom he had personal relationships, despite little or no work being performed.
In one notable instance, Goldstein won over $50 million in a series of poker matches in 2016, including a $26.4 million victory against billionaire Alec Gores. Despite these substantial winnings, he underreported his income and used his firm’s resources to settle personal debts, leading to significant tax liabilities. The Department of Justice detailed these activities in their press release on the conviction.
During sentencing, Judge Griggsby emphasized the severity of Goldstein’s offenses, stating that his actions constituted a significant breach of trust, particularly given his standing in the legal community. The judge also ordered Goldstein to pay restitution to the IRS for unpaid taxes and to the mortgage lenders affected by his fraudulent loan applications.
Goldstein’s defense team argued that his actions were the result of a severe gambling addiction, which led to poor judgment and financial mismanagement. They requested a more lenient sentence, citing his previous contributions to the legal field and his efforts to seek treatment for his addiction. However, the prosecution contended that Goldstein’s deliberate and prolonged fraudulent activities warranted a substantial prison term to serve as a deterrent to others in positions of trust.
This case has drawn significant attention due to Goldstein’s high profile in the legal community. As a seasoned Supreme Court litigator and founder of a widely respected legal blog, his fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of ethical lapses and financial misconduct within the profession.
Goldstein is expected to begin serving his sentence immediately. His legal team has indicated that they are considering an appeal of the conviction and sentence.