Top Supreme Court Attorney Indicted: Tax Evasion, Fraudulent Returns, and Intricate Love and Gambling Web Unveiled

Chevy Chase, Md. — Renowned Supreme Court attorney Tom Goldstein, known for his influential role in legal circles and as the founder of SCOTUSblog, faces serious legal challenges of his own following a recent indictment. Federal prosecutors have charged Goldstein with multiple counts of tax evasion, fraudulent activities on mortgage applications, and other financial misconducts tied to his high-stakes poker involvement.

The charges stem from a Maryland federal court’s 22-count grand jury indictment, which portrays Goldstein not only as a leading legal mind but as a gambler who played in high-stakes games globally. It is alleged that he used his law firm, Goldstein & Russell, as a financial shield for his poker winnings and personal expenditures, including payments to numerous women he was allegedly involved with romantically, which further complicates the case.

Among the charges, Goldstein is accused of four counts of tax evasion, ten counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, and three counts of lying on loan applications. These allegations suggest a complex web of financial deceit extending beyond his professional achievements in the legal field.

Goldstein, 54, who resides in both Chevy Chase and Washington, D.C., has a substantial history of Supreme Court appearances, totaling 45. His most notable cases include representing Al Gore during the controversial 2000 election and advocating for Google in a significant copyright lawsuit against Oracle in 2020. His legal prowess has placed him among the most frequent private-practice lawyers to appear before the Supreme Court in modern history.

Despite his professional success, Goldstein stepped down from appellate practice in 2023. His recent activities included advocating in a New York Times column for the cessation of criminal proceedings against President-elect Donald Trump, highlighting his ongoing engagement in high-profile legal discussions.

Defending Goldstein, his attorneys Christopher Kise and John Lauro, who have also represented Trump in various cases, expressed profound disappointment over the government’s actions. They emphasized their belief in Goldstein’s previously untarnished reputation and suggested that the charges might have been precipitously brought.

Further examination of the indictment reveals that although other lawyers held the title of “partner” at Goldstein & Russell, Goldstein was the sole owner and ultimately controlled all aspects of the firm’s management. The firm reportedly did not employ a skilled accountant until 2013, relying instead on minimal accounting practices handled by inexperienced staff.

The indictment also accuses Goldstein of borrowing heavily to finance his gambling habits, often pledging a portion of potential winnings as collateral for loans. This allegedly includes a staggering $10 billion loan obtained from a California billionaire in 2014, used primarily for gambling purposes.

Additionally, from 2016 to 2022, Goldstein is accused of making substantial payments, listing hundreds of thousands of dollars, to multiple women associated with the firm under dubious work pretenses. In one instance in 2016, he allegedly diverted $1.1 million from firm accounts to settle personal gambling debts and subsequently underreported his winnings by nearly $4 million on tax documents.

Further exacerbating his legal woes, in 2021, Goldstein reportedly understated his liabilities by omitting $14 million in gambling debt and due taxes on mortgage applications for a $2.6 million Washington, D.C. home, securing a $1.98 million loan under potentially fraudulent circumstances.

This ongoing case not only raises questions about the boundaries of professional conduct but also underscores the potential consequences of intertwining personal ventures with professional responsibilities, particularly within the legal industry noted for its rigorous ethical standards.

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