'All On the Line': Tom Goldstein Testifies About Poker in Tax Trial
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Embattled lawyer and high-stakes poker player Tom Goldstein testified in his own criminal tax fraud trial on Wednesday, maintaining his innocence and giving insight into his interest in poker.
Goldstein, who was charged in January 2025 with tax fraud, tax evasion and lying to mortgage lenders, told the federal jury in Greenbelt, Maryland, that he always acted in good faith in reporting his gambling income to accountants and the IRS.
According to Reuters, Goldstein also admitted to downplaying his $15 million in gambling debts on mortgage applications, stating that "I did not want my wife to know about the scope of my gambling debts."
Poker is a "Weirdly Intellectual Thing"
The trial is centered around high-stakes poker matches Goldstein played around the world starting in 2016. In his testimony on Wednesday, Goldstein spoke about his passion for no-limit Texas Hold'em, which, according to Law.com, Goldstein said allows high-stakes players to "essentially risk everything" and "put it all on the line."
"I think playing poker is a little bit problem-solving," Law.com reported the superstar attorney saying. "It's a weirdly intellectual thing."
Goldstein also spoke about his relationship with Malaysian gambling mogul Paul Phua, who he represented in a 2014 illegal gambling case that saw Phua acquitted. Goldstein, who is accused of using money owed to his law firm to pay poker debts, admitted to having personal relationships with Phua and other clients.
Phua is one of multiple high-stakes poker players, including Andrew Robl and Keith Gipson, who staked Goldstein in heads-up matches that produced $50 million in profit. Prosecutors also believe it is Phua who connected Goldstein to his opponents "Tango" and "Chairman."
Though he claims to have won $88 million in heads-up poker matches, Goldstein told jurors he is down around $10 million overall in poker. In a December 2025 New York Times story, Goldstein put that number at between $10 and $15 million, mainly from ring-game losses.
According to Bloomberg Law, Goldstein even claimed he over-reported his gambling winnings by $2.7 million in 2016, which he said should have been zero.
Goldstein replied "no" when asked if he had cheated on his taxes in 2016 or any other year, Law.com reported.
Cross-Examination on Thursday
Goldstein's testimony about risk was fitting, as the very act of testifying in his own trial was a risky venture.
By doing so, Goldstein opened himself up to cross-examination by the US Department of Justice, where he will be forced to answer questions, under oath, about his alleged tax violations and poker escapades.
The trial has already featured heated cross-examination, most notably that of government witness Walter Deyhle, Goldstein's former accountant who the defense got to admit to making errors in preparing Goldstein's tax returns.
Goldstein's cross-examination is slated to take place on Thursday. The prosecution wrapped up its case earlier this week and the trial is expected to end by mid-February.
The charges against Goldstein include tax evasion, falsifying tax returns, failing to pay taxes, and making false statements to two separate mortgage lenders. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
PokerNews was in Maryland for last week's trial proceedings, which included testimony from Robl, who spoke about coaching Goldstein in heads-up matches against American billionaire Alec Gores and Asian gamblers "Tango" and "Chairman."
