Follow Week 4 of High-Stakes Attorney Tom Goldstein's Tax Fraud Trial With PokerNews
The trial of superstar attorney and high-stakes poker player Tom Goldstein continues this week in Greenbelt, Maryland, and PokerNews is on the ground to provide coverage.
Goldstein, who had argued dozens of cases before the United States Supreme Court before retiring from law in 2023, was indicted in January 2025 on tax fraud charges related to high-stakes poker matches where Goldstein regularly won and lost millions.
The charges against Goldstein, which were narrowed late last year, 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 and said he always intended to pay what he owed in taxes.
So far, the trial, which began on Jan. 12, has featured testimony from the likes of Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire, high-stakes poker player Rick Salomon, California real estate mogul Bob Safai and billionaire Alec Gores.
A spokesperson for the US District Court Greenbelt Division told PokerNews that the trial is anticipated to wrap up in mid-February.
Here are some reporting highlights from the Goldstein case:
- Indicted Lawyer Allegedly Won $50 Million in Heads-Up Poker Matches
- Dan Bilzerian 'Best Friends' w/ Indicted Lawyer, Had $385k Las Vegas Prop Bet
- Businessman Says He Had Trouble Collecting $6M Poker Debt from Tom Goldstein
- Billionaire Andy Beal Allegedly Initially Dodged $15M Poker Debt to Tobey Maguire
Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin May Testify Over New York Times Story
Feb. 4, 2026, 1:20 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Before resuming cross-examination, the prosecution said they are retracting their request for New York Times fact checker Rudy Lee to testify over a December 2025 article and interview with Goldstein.
However, the prosecution is still asking legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, the article's author, to testify on Thursday. The defense has stated opposition, and Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby said she will rule on the matter tomorrow at 9 a.m. local time.
In his interview with Toobin, Goldstein spoke candidly and extensively about his poker matches, including winning over $26 million against billionaire Alec Gores.
Trial Resumes
Feb. 4, 2026, 1:20 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The trial will now resume after lunch break, picking up with the remaining cross-examination of tax specialist Walter Deyhle.
Lunch Break
Feb. 4, 2026, 11:54 a.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
After more than an hour of cross-examination, Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby has sent the jury on their lunch break. The trial will resume at 1:10 p.m. local time.
Defense Tries Turning Tables on Tax Preparer
Feb. 4, 2026, 11:53 a.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Walter Deyhle was questioned in a contentious cross-examination where Goldstein's attorney, Jonathan Kravis, tried to turn the tables around, arguing that Goldstein's alleged tax violations were a result of accounting errors and a lack of diligence by Deyhle.
While Deyhle admitted to a “minor error” on his behalf in listing Goldstein's 2016 net poker winnings (Goldstein's winnings after paying out backers) and gross poker winnings (the total sum he won) , he attributed the error to Goldstein getting him the tax information at the last minute.
“It doesn’t affect the tax liability," Deyhle added.
At one point, Kravis instructed Deyhle to manually calculate the net winnings number, leading to a bit of an awkward moment when Deyhle couldn't work the calculator before eventually doing the calculation on his phone.
The defense also referenced an October 2017 email from Goldstein that they said contradicts Deyhle's testimony, and accused prosecutors of violating a federal law requiring them to disclose exculpatory information to the defense.
Jury Takes Morning Break
Feb. 4, 2026, 10:30 a.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby has sent the federal grand jury on their morning break ahead of cross-examination of Walter Deyhle.
Tax Preparer Says Goldstein Didn't Mention Crypto Assets
Feb. 4, 2026, 10:29 a.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Walter Deyhle of GRF CPAs & Advisors, a former tax preparer of Goldstein, was the first witness of Day 12 as he continued testimony from Tuesday.
Deyhle was asked about tax filings he prepared for Goldstein in 2020 and 2021, and specifically about cryptocurrency income that prosecutors allege Goldstein failed to disclose — which led to his re-arrest in February 2025.
Deyhle testified that Goldstein hadn't disclosed any crypto activity, which prosecutors say included hundreds of thousands of dollars in transactions from Coinbase and Binance accounts.
“He didn’t tell us anything about that," Deyhle said.
Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby Takes the Bench
Feb. 4, 2026, 9:43 a.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby has taken the bench and given an outline for the day. The government is expected to call several additional witnesses on Day 12.
There will be no hearing on Friday due to scheduling conflicts with multiple jurors.
