You can bluff your way through a poker hand — but can you bluff the IRS? That’s the million-dollar question surrounding Tom Goldstein, the high-profile attorney, SCOTUSblog founder, and poker fan now facing expanded federal allegations that sound straight out of a Hollywood legal thriller. The District of Maryland Grand Jury just dropped a superseding indictment on August 8, turning up the heat on an already scorching tax fraud case.
The big reveal?
Nearly $1 million allegedly hidden from the IRS, whispers of cryptocurrency bribes, and a luxury D.C. home at the centre of the storm.
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The Stakes Get Higher
Goldstein’s legal troubles began back in January with a 22-count indictment — accusations ranging from concealing poker debts to misleading mortgage lenders. Now, prosecutors say the attorney’s playbook included a series of high-stakes moves designed to shield assets and keep witnesses quiet.
“What’s unfolding is part legal chess, part poker game — with the IRS holding all the chips,” said one legal analyst familiar with white-collar prosecutions.
Key Allegations Against Tom Goldstein in the New Filing
| Allegation | Details |
| Hidden Assets | Nearly $960,000 was allegedly withdrawn from retirement accounts and wired to a company account to avoid IRS seizure. |
| Luxury Property Purchase | Funds allegedly used to help buy a multi-million-dollar Washington, D.C. home while concealing debt. |
| Witness Influence | $10,000 bonus offer, student loan repayment in crypto, and other incentives allegedly given to discourage cooperation with the IRS. |
| Timeline Tweaks | Revised dates on a Hollywood poker winnings recovery case — now said to have occurred in 2020, not 2021. |
From Law to Luxury
Prosecutors allege that in March 2021, Goldstein and his wife, Amy Howe, made a strategic move: pulling nearly a million from their retirement accounts, then swiftly transferring the money to a company account. The alleged motive? To make sure Uncle Sam couldn’t get to it before it was used to secure their new home.
“The narrative is clear: luxury first, IRS later,” quipped a D.C. legal blogger.
Crypto, Bonuses, and Quiet Conversations About Tom Goldstein
One of the juiciest parts of the expanded indictment involves alleged witness tampering. Prosecutors claim Goldstein offered a firm manager both a cash bonus and cryptocurrency-based student loan repayment. The intent, they say, was to dissuade her from talking to federal investigators about a questionable “employee” on the firm’s books.
These allegations were hinted at in earlier filings but are now front-and-centre in the prosecution’s case.
A Poker-Sized Side Story
In a twist worthy of a poker room rumour mill, the indictment even references Goldstein’s alleged role in helping a Hollywood actor recover poker winnings from a Texas billionaire. Pegged initially to 2021, prosecutors now say it happened a year earlier — in 2020 — subtly shifting the narrative timeline.
Tom Goldstein Fires Back
Despite the mounting allegations, Goldstein remains in a not-guilty stance, filing motions to dismiss and accusing prosecutors of “intentionally” misleading the court. His legal team — Jonathan Kravis, Stephanie Reaves, and Adeel Mohammadi — have yet to address the new claims publicly. On August 8, a clerk’s notice revealed a related case in the system, but with no public documents available yet, it’s anyone’s guess whether it’s another hand in the same high-stakes game.
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FAQs About the Case
1. Who is Tom Goldstein?
A high-profile attorney, co-founder of SCOTUSblog, and figure in both the legal and poker worlds.
2. What is he accused of?
Multiple counts of tax fraud, hiding assets, misleading lenders, and allegedly attempting to influence a witness.
3. What’s new in the expanded indictment?
Nearly $1M in hidden funds, crypto-based incentives for a witness, and revised case timelines.
4. Does this involve his poker activity?
Indirectly, past allegations cite poker debts, and there’s a Hollywood poker winnings recovery case in the mix.
5. Has he been convicted?
No. Goldstein has pleaded not guilty and is actively fighting the charges.
The Bottom Line
Whether you see Tom Goldstein as a fearless player under legal siege or a skilled attorney caught in his own high-stakes bluff, one thing is sure — the next chapter promises drama, strategy, and maybe even a whole house of surprises.
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