High-stakes poker player and attorney Tom Goldstein is facing fresh allegations from federal prosecutors, who claim he continued to rake in millions from gambling while under investigation for tax fraud — without disclosing those winnings.
According to new court filings, Goldstein pocketed at least $12 million in net gambling profits in 2022 and another $10 million in 2023 while being scrutinized by the government.
Federal prosecutors highlight unreported winnings
Documents submitted in Maryland federal court on Thursday reveal that Goldstein made staggering sums from high-stakes gambling.
A spreadsheet introduced as evidence outlines payments he received from a single unnamed opponent between May 2022 and May 2024. The records indicate Goldstein won over $65.3 million while losing $13.9 million, netting over $51 million from that player alone.
Among the most notable transactions listed in the filings:
- $15 million sent on May 24, 2022
- $6.9 million sent on October 3, 2022
- $8.3 million sent on November 28, 2022
- $7.5 million sent on February 14, 2023
- $9.8 million sent on May 15, 2024
While the filings do not explicitly state what games were played, Goldstein has a history of high-stakes heads-up poker, previously winning over $50 million in 2016 from matches in California and Asia against three different opponents.
Goldstein’s legal battle continues
Goldstein’s legal troubles stem from a 22-count federal indictment accusing him of tax evasion, filing false tax returns, and making fraudulent mortgage applications.
Prosecutors say he deliberately concealed cryptocurrency transactions and failed to report gambling income, claiming that his 2023 earnings could be even higher depending on staking arrangements.
Goldstein’s defense argues that he did not attempt to obscure his finances, though he failed to file a tax return for that year.
His gambling activities caught further scrutiny in July 2024 when he attended a “multi-day birthday party” in Mykonos, Greece, alongside other ultra-high-stakes poker players.
Prosecutors allege he played several poker matches at the event and lost substantial sums, including a $200,000 cryptocurrency transfer to a game organizer from an undisclosed crypto wallet.
They argue this highlights his ability to access and use unreported assets, reinforcing their claim that he is a flight risk.
Bail conditions and courtroom drama
Goldstein was previously arrested for allegedly violating bail terms by transferring millions in cryptocurrency through undisclosed accounts. While he denied ownership of the wallets in question, he was briefly jailed before securing release three days later.
On February 27, he appealed his release conditions, particularly objecting to electronic device monitoring, which he described as “drastic.”
Prosecutors have countered by emphasizing the need for continued surveillance, arguing that Goldstein’s access to hidden funds poses a risk of witness tampering and potential flight.
With mounting evidence and federal authorities intensifying their case, Goldstein’s high-stakes poker winnings may be the least of his concerns as he fights the allegations in court.
