High-Stakes Poker Attorney Tom Goldstein Back in Custody Over Crypto Transfers
High-stakes poker-playing lawyer Tom Goldstein is back in custody in Maryland as the prominent legal figure indicted for tax crimes is deemed a "serious risk of flight" after allegedly failing to disclose cryptocurrency transfers.
Court records filed on Monday stated that Goldstein, who had been out on bail, violated the conditions of his release. The Hon. Timothy J. Sullivan wrote that there is "clear and convincing evidence of pretrial release conditions" committed by the defendant related to not telling the court about "two cryptocurrency wallets and transferring funds" without prior pretrial approval.
Goldstein, per court documents obtained by PokerNews, was arrested prior to a Monday hearing for the second time in less than a month. He is accused of sending and receiving millions in cryptocurrency transfers since last month's indictment from wallets that he failed to disclose to pretrial services officers.
This comes after Goldstein filed a motion on his own behalf (despite being represented by two prominent attorneys) asking Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby to reconsider bail terms that required him to put up his $3.2 million Washington, DC, home as collateral.
Prosecutors with the US Attorney's Office requested the motion be dismissed and argued that Goldstein posed a "significant" flight risk and "threatens to undermine the integrity of these proceedings."
Goldstein was charged last month in a 22-count indictment related to high-stakes poker winnings and losses. He is accused of tax evasion, preparing false and fraudulent tax returns, and making false statements on mortgage applications.
Allegedly Instructed Witnesses to "Destroy Evidence"
In an oppositional response to Goldstein's motion filed on Friday, prosecutors alleged that Goldstein had "instructed third parties, including potential witnesses in the case, to destroy evidence that is relevant to the charges."
They further allege Goldstein offered cryptocurrency and other things of value "to a potential witness in the case who has intimate knowledge of his and his law firm's finances and income — and that there was no other credible reason for doing so than to attempt to prevent the potential witness from assisting in the investigation."
In a previous filing, Goldstein argued he needed his Washington, DC, home to pay for his legal services in the high-profile case and had a negative net worth of $3.3 million. Prosecutors pushed back on this in fighting his bail terms, arguing that he "has been successful in securing millions of dollars in loans from wealthy individuals, so he likely has access to funds necessary to flee the country and sustain a life abroad."
Goldstein previously surrendered his passport to authorities. He also stated he wasn't a flight risk as "a deeply respected member of the bar who practiced at the highest levels for decades."
Attorneys for Goldstein dispute the charges against him and argue that "the government brought these charges in a rush to judgment without understanding all of the important facts." Goldstein pleaded not guilty to all counts on Jan. 27.
"Our client intends to vigorously contest these charges and we expect he will be exonerated at trial," John Lauro and Christopher Kise, who have represented President Donald Trump in high-profile cases, wrote in an earlier statement.
