Tom Goldstein, a prominent Supreme Court lawyer, finds himself back in custody after federal prosecutors accused him of being a flight risk in an ongoing criminal tax evasion case. Goldstein, who has argued before the Supreme Court more frequently than almost any other attorney in private practice, faces charges stemming from allegations that he failed to declare millions of dollars in poker winnings and used his law firm's funds to settle gambling debts. Despite a court order prohibiting him from transferring any assets without approval, Goldstein allegedly moved over $6 million in cryptocurrency over the past five days.
The Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office highlighted Goldstein's alleged financial maneuvers, citing his failure to disclose two cryptocurrency wallets where he reportedly received more than $8 million. One of these wallets has handled significant volumes, with transactions totaling over $73.6 million sent and $75.6 million received since November 2022. Notably, when authorities indicted him on January 16, the wallet showed no assets. However, six days post his initial court appearance, $10 worth of Tether crypto was deposited into the wallet, followed by an $8 million transfer. Within just two hours, Goldstein transferred approximately $6 million out of the wallet through two separate transactions.
Goldstein's rearrest comes after prosecutors argued that his actions demonstrated a substantial risk of flight and an inability to adhere to court-imposed conditions.
"Defendant's conduct demonstrates that he is a serious risk of flight, that he cannot abide by the conditions of release, and that he has lied to this Court and Pretrial Services,"
- Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office
Prosecutors also assert that Goldstein willfully neglected to pay over $5.3 million in taxes, further compounding his legal troubles. They petitioned for the revocation of his release conditions, suggesting that his recent activities imply a danger to the community.
"A rebuttable presumption that Defendant is a danger to the community now applies, and Defendant's conditions of release should be revoked,"
- Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office