Supreme Court Litigator Convicted of Tax Evasion Over Poker Winnings

Thomas Goldstein found guilty of tax fraud, false statements, and other charges related to unreported gambling income.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A prominent Supreme Court litigator and co-founder of the popular SCOTUSblog was convicted of tax evasion and related charges for failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in high-stakes poker winnings. Federal prosecutors accused Thomas Goldstein of diverting law firm money to pay gambling debts and falsely deducting those debts as business expenses.

Why it matters

Goldstein's conviction sends shockwaves through the legal community in Washington, D.C., as many of his colleagues were unaware of the extent of his secret gambling activities. The case highlights the risks of unreported income from high-stakes gambling and the potential consequences for tax evasion, even for prominent figures.

The details

A federal jury found Goldstein guilty of 12 of 16 counts, including tax evasion, aiding in the preparation of false tax returns, failure to pay taxes, and false statements on loan applications. Prosecutors said Goldstein raked in around $50 million in poker winnings in 2016, including $22 million from games in Asia. The scheme unraveled when another gambler notified the IRS about a debt Goldstein owed.

  • Goldstein was indicted in 2025.
  • The six-week trial began on January 12, 2026.
  • The jury deliberated for approximately two days before convicting Goldstein on February 26, 2026.

The players

Thomas Goldstein

A prominent Supreme Court litigator who co-founded the popular SCOTUSblog, Goldstein was convicted of tax evasion and related charges for failing to pay taxes on millions in high-stakes poker winnings.

Sean Beaty

A Justice Department prosecutor who described Goldstein as a "willful tax cheat" who executed a "textbook tax-evasion scheme" nearly flawlessly.

Jonathan Kravis

Goldstein's defense attorney, who argued the government rushed to judgment and that Goldstein made "innocent mistakes" on his tax returns but did not cheat on his taxes or knowingly make false statements.

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What they’re saying

“He lied to everyone around him.”

— Sean Beaty, Justice Department prosecutor (wbal.com)

“A mistake is not a crime.”

— Jonathan Kravis, Defense attorney (wbal.com)

“It was a textbook tax-evasion scheme. And Mr. Goldstein executed that nearly flawlessly.”

— Sean Beaty, Justice Department prosecutor (wbal.com)

What’s next

Goldstein will be sentenced at a later date. The judge will determine the appropriate punishment for his tax evasion and fraud convictions.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious legal consequences that can arise from unreported income, even for prominent figures like Supreme Court litigators. It serves as a warning about the risks of engaging in high-stakes gambling without properly reporting winnings to the IRS.