Prominent US Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein will be sentenced on Friday for tax and financial crimes. These charges are linked to his secondary career as a high-stakes poker player. This development marks a significant turn for a top appellate attorney who argued key cases before the US Supreme Court for years.
US District Judge Lydia Griggsby will determine Goldstein's sentence. The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Goldstein underwent a six-week trial this year. The trial revealed his dual life as a star litigator and a global traveler for multimillion-dollar poker games.
Goldstein was charged in January 2025 during the final days of Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration. The charges included concealing earnings and losses from poker games both in the US and internationally. These games involved stakes reaching millions of dollars. He initially pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
A jury convicted Goldstein in February for several offenses. He failed to report millions of dollars in poker winnings. He also lied on mortgage loan documents. Furthermore, he made improper payments through his former law firm, Goldstein & Russell. These convictions highlight a serious breach of financial regulations.
Prosecutors have asked Judge Griggsby to sentence Goldstein to more than eight years in prison. They also requested he pay GHS 3.1 million in restitution for unpaid taxes. Sentencing recommendations are not binding on federal judges. Judges can impose sentences that are either more severe or more lenient than recommended.
Goldstein’s defense lawyers have urged Griggsby to impose a lengthy supervision period instead. They argue this would hold him accountable. It would also allow him to repay his debts, address his gambling addiction, and contribute to society. This approach emphasizes rehabilitation over strict incarceration.
The trial featured testimony from Goldstein himself, leaders of his law firm, and actor Tobey Maguire. Maguire, known for his role in "Spider-Man," told jurors he hired Goldstein in 2020. His goal was to recover over GHS 7 million that a Texas businessman allegedly owed him from a poker debt. This testimony added a celebrity dimension to the proceedings.
Goldstein had argued more than 40 cases at the Supreme Court before his retirement in 2023. He was also a founder of SCOTUSblog, a legal news website. His past clients included major corporations like Alphabet’s Google and "Fortnite" video game maker Epic Games. As a Democrat, Goldstein was part of the legal team representing Al Gore in the Supreme Court battle over George W. Bush's victory in the 2000 presidential election. His legal career was highly distinguished before these charges emerged.
Goldstein earlier added former US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar to his defense team. Prelogar is from the law firm Cooley. This move signals his preparation for an appeal of his conviction and sentencing. The legal battle is likely to continue beyond the sentencing phase.