| PROMINENT LAWYER THOMAS GOLDSTEIN CONVICTED
OF TAX EVASION AND MORTGAGE FRAUD The SCOTUSblog founder hid millions in gambling income and debts Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury convicted a prominent appellate attorney who argued more than 40 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and co-founded the widely read legal website SCOTUSblog, of tax and mortgage fraud. The jury found Thomas C. Goldstein, 55, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, guilty of tax evasion, assisting with preparing false tax returns, willfully failing to timely pay taxes, and making false statements to mortgage lenders. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the conviction with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox, FBI – Washington Field Office. "Goldstein chose fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer while living a lavish lifestyle. He gambled that he wouldn't get caught – and that gamble did not pay off," Hayes said. "Our office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding those accountable who break the law – no matter who they are." "I thank the jurors for their service and careful attention during this lengthy trial," Duva said. "This verdict holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for cheating the tax system and lying to mortgage lenders. Mr. Goldstein is a sophisticated attorney who concealed millions of dollars in income, manipulated his law firm's books and deceived lenders – all to fund his gambling and lifestyle. This investigation, prosecution, and conviction reflect the dedicated work of the prosecutors and agents who brought this case to trial on behalf of the United States. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue those who evade their tax obligations and mislead financial institutions." "This is precisely the type of conduct IRS Criminal Investigation, and our law enforcement partners are committed to deterring," Carter said. "Today's conviction of the defendant sends a clear message, that we have the tools and resolve to protect our tax system by investigating, prosecuting, and holding accountable, those who seek to defraud the United States." "Mortgage laws exist to protect lenders and borrowers from fraudsters like Goldstein," Cox said. "His conviction should serve as a message to all prospective homebuyers: The FBI will investigate and bring to justice individuals who try to cheat the system by lying on their mortgage applications, so we can level the playing field for every hardworking American who wishes to buy a home." According to evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Goldstein served as sole owner of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., a boutique law firm specializing in appellate litigation, including litigation before the United States Supreme Court. Goldstein was also a high-stakes poker player, frequently playing in games involving tens of millions of dollars. During that timeframe, Goldstein stopped paying taxes on time, as required by law, and engaged in a scheme to evade paying his taxes for 2016. Goldstein took various steps to carry out the scheme, including concealing millions of dollars in poker wins and losses from the government. He also diverted legal fees, payable to his law firm, to his personal bank account to satisfy poker-related debts; directed people to pay his creditors instead of sending payments directly to him; and used the law firm's assets to satisfy his poker debts. Then he caused those payments to be falsely classified as "legal-fee" expenses on the firm's books and records. As a result, Goldstein underreported his income and did not pay all the taxes that he owed. Instead of paying his taxes, he spent millions on personal expenses such as poker, travel, and luxury goods. In 2021, Goldstein submitted false mortgage applications to two separate mortgage lending companies, seeking financing to purchase a $2.6-million home in Washington, D.C. On those mortgage applications — which required Goldstein to list all his liabilities and debts — he omitted millions of dollars of liabilities, including more than $14 million he owed at the time on two promissory notes, as well as taxes he owed the IRS. His false statements to one of the mortgage lenders enabled him to obtain a $1.98-million loan. Goldstein faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion, three years for each count of helping to prepare false tax returns, one year for each count of willful failure to pay taxes, and 30 years for each count of making false statements to mortgage lenders. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing date has not been set. U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI and FBI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele, along with Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Emerson Gordon-Marvin and Hayter L. Whitman, DOJ Criminal Division Tax Section, who are prosecuting this federal case. For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud. # # # | 
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