CoinPoker Canada Adds $7M Rewards and $30M BoM Series
29 Jun 2026Read More
Tom Goldstein Handed Six-Year Prison Term for Tax Fraud Tied to Poker Winnings
- Appellate lawyer Tom Goldstein sentenced to 6 years for tax and financial crimes.
- Convicted of hiding poker winnings, mortgage fraud, and improper firm payments.
- Judge ordered immediate custody, noting willful violations and public trust breach.
Image by Danny Maxwell / Pokernews
Prominent Washington appellate lawyer Tom Goldstein received a six-year federal prison sentence for tax and financial crimes linked to high-stakes poker. A jury convicted the 56-year-old for failing to report millions in winnings, mortgage fraud, and improper law firm payments.
Prominent Washington appellate attorney Tom Goldstein has been sentenced to six years in federal prison following a complex tax and financial fraud case connected to his high-stakes poker career. U.S. District Judge Lydia Griggsby handed down the six-year sentence on Friday after a day-long hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland.
The sentencing caps a high-profile legal saga for the 56-year-old lawyer, who previously argued major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court while simultaneously competing in high-stakes poker games worldwide.
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, where stakes reached millions of dollars.
Although he initially pleaded not guilty, a federal jury convicted him in February after a six-week trial. The jury found Goldstein guilty of failing to report millions of dollars in poker winnings, lying on mortgage loan documents, and making improper financial payments through his former law firm, Goldstein & Russell.
Court Details and Judicial Ruling
During the day-long sentencing hearing in Maryland, Judge Griggsby highlighted the gravity of the offenses, noting that every American understands the legal obligation to pay taxes.
Addressing Goldstein directly, Griggsby expressed disappointment in the attorney, describing him as brilliant by all accounts while pointing out that the trial evidence demonstrated willful violations of tax obligations.
Prosecutors urged the court to sentence Goldstein to more than eight years in federal prison and requested $3.1 million in restitution for unpaid taxes.
In contrast, defense attorneys asked for a sentence of supervision, arguing that non-custodial supervision would allow Goldstein to address his gambling addiction, repay his financial debts, and contribute to society.
Immediate Custody and Defense Statements
Before the final sentence was read, an emotional Goldstein addressed the court with regret, acknowledging that he had deeply disappointed people and failed to meet the standards expected of a prominent lawyer.
Despite his statements denying that he posed a flight risk and asking for permission to voluntarily surrender, Judge Griggsby ordered him into immediate custody.
In denying the request for voluntary surrender, Judge Griggsby cited both a risk of flight and her assessment that any potential appeal would fail, stating that she did not consider the matter a close case.
Goldstein subsequently left the Greenbelt courtroom in handcuffs to begin serving his six-year federal prison sentence.
Upcoming Events
28 July 2026
WPT Cyprus Qualifiers Poker
From $1.10 to the Mediterranean: Inside WPT Global’s WPT Cyprus Satellite Tree
BasePoker Weekly $2,000 Freeroll Poker
BasePoker Weekly Freeroll Tickets: Earning and Registration Guide
Deerfoot Summer Super Stack Poker
Deerfoot Summer Super Stack 2026: The Premier Poker Festival on the Western Canada Calendar
WPT Australia 2026 Poker
Cards in the Air in Sydney: WPT Australia 2026 Announces Massive Three-Week Schedule
Unibet Open Marrakech Poker
Unibet Open Marrakech 2026 Set to Ignite Eleven-Day Autumn Poker Festival
Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition Poker
Massive €3 Million Prize Pool Guaranteed for Autumn Edition of Malta Poker Festival
WSOP Circuit Playground November 2026 Poker
WSOP November Circuit Stop at Playground Kicks Off on November 2
APT Championship Taipei 2026 Poker
APT Championship 2026 to Feature 210 Tournaments and Massive Guarantees
Poker EventsStarts in
WPT Cyprus Qualifiers
CoinPoker $7 Million July Promotion
GGPoker $250 GTD Freebuy
WPT Global $250 Freebuy
Stake Poker $250 GTD Freebuy
BasePoker Weekly $2,000 Freeroll
888poker $300GTD Freebuy
Deerfoot Summer Super Stack
WSOP Super Circuit Canada
WPT Australia 2026
Pure Poker Tour Yellowhead 2026
Unibet Open Marrakech
Latest News
-
CoinRewards -
Freebuy alertPlay GGPoker $250 GTD Freebuy23 Jul 2026Read More
-
$250 GTD FreebuyPlay $250 GTD Freebuy on WPT Global24 Jul 2026Read More
-
Stake FreebuyWin Your Share of $250 with PokerWired’s $250 GTD Freebuy27 Jul 2026Read More
-
BasePoker FreerollsBasePoker Weekly Freeroll Tickets: Earning and Registration Guide27 Jul 2026Read More
