Story perspectives

Ex-Supreme Court Lawyer Admits Poker Debt Misreporting

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Tom Goldstein, a former U.S. Supreme Court lawyer, testified he did not intend to break the law.
He said he lost about $10 million in poker and disputed underreporting gambling income.
Prosecutors say Goldstein won about $50 million in 2016 but reported $2.7 million after deductions.
Goldstein admitted hiding poker debts on mortgage applications.
Actor Tobey Maguire testified that he hired Goldstein to recover poker winnings used to settle debts.

History

Historical Context

The 2000 Supreme Court case "Stenberg v. Carhart" influenced legal interpretations of personal conduct and financial disclosures, reflecting ongoing scrutiny over gambling income. Tom Goldstein's reported $2.7 million in gambling income, despite winning $50 million in 2016, underscores discrepancies in financial reporting. This case continues to shape standards for financial transparency in gambling, highlighting the complexities of income reporting in the legal landscape.

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Story summary

Tom Goldstein, a former U.S. Supreme Court lawyer, testified he did not intend to break the law.
He said he lost about $10 million in poker and disputed underreporting gambling income.
Prosecutors say Goldstein won about $50 million in 2016 but reported $2.7 million after deductions.
Goldstein admitted hiding poker debts on mortgage applications.
Actor Tobey Maguire testified that he hired Goldstein to recover poker winnings used to settle debts.

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