Tom Goldstein's Poker Staking Deals Discussed at Criminal Trial
The federal criminal 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.
Goldstein declined to comment to PokerNews after Wednesday's hearing.
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
Day 12 Ends
Feb. 4, 2026, 4:44 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Day 12 ended just before 5 p.m. following the direct-examination of IRS Special Agent Jack McDonald.
The case will resume at 9 a.m. tomorrow for arguments over the subpoena of New York Times journalist Jeffrey Toobin. The start time for Day 13 has yet to be determined.
On Thursday, the defense is planning on calling high-stakes poker pro Andrew Robl to testify.
Texts Reveal Goldstein's Staking Arrangements With Poker Pros
Feb. 4, 2026, 4:44 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The third witness of Day 12 is IRS Special Agent Jack McDonald, who spoke about an incident where Goldstein flew from Macau to Hong Kong to Washington, D.C. with a duffel bag of nearly $1 million.
Goldstein told IRS investigators that they money part of two loans from Malaysian gambling mogul Paul Phua, but McDonald said Goldstein was unable to provide any information about the interest rates or repayment plans for the loans.
“I did not think they were loans," said McDonald. "They certainly did not sound like loans.”
McDonald also read from a text thread between Goldstein and high-stakes poker pros Andrew Robl and Keith Gipson, who staked Goldstein in heads-up poker matches against a gambler named "Tango."
“Playing Tango in HK starting Tuesday," Goldstein wrote in 2016.
“Start smaller to feel him out and see how we do," Gipson replied.
"Sweet," added Robl. "Definitely want piece. What stakes and max loss approximately?"
Lender Says Goldstein Didn't Disclose $15 Million in Poker Debts
Feb. 4, 2026, 2:47 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The second witness of Day 12 is Dai Wai Chin Feman of Parabellum Capital, an investment firm that loaned Tom Goldstein's law firm money beginning in 2021.
Chin Feman testified that Parabellum Capital gave Goldstein two separate loans in 2021 to purchase a Washington, D.C. home. According to Chin Feman, Goldstein did not disclose that he had over $15 million in private poker debts and that "it would’ve been a material thing that we (Parabellum Capital) would’ve discussed.”
Has the firm ever had another client who failed to disclose a $15 million poker debt? "No," said Chin Feman.
Prosecutors have accused Goldstein of failing to disclose poker debts to two separate mortgage lenders while seeking a loan to purchase his Washington, D.C. home.
Afternoon Break
Feb. 4, 2026, 2:27 p.m. Eastern
Connor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby has sent the jurors on their afternoon break after another lengthy cross-examination and re-direct of tax specialist Walter Deyhle.
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 Tom 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 Tom 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 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 Tom 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.
