Thomas Goldstein, the former Supreme Court lawyer and SCOTUSblog co-founder, faces a jury in Maryland on 16 counts of tax evasion and assisting in false tax returns. Goldstein, who argued more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court, is accused of failing to report tens of millions in poker winnings and diverting law firm funds to cover gambling debts.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing Goldstein won approximately $50 million in poker winnings in 2016 alone, including $22 million from Asian games. "Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire testified about Goldstein's role in helping recover gambling debts from a billionaire. The case also involves allegations Goldstein hid $15 million in gambling debt from mortgage lenders.

Goldstein's defense claims he made "innocent mistakes" on tax returns but didn't commit fraud. His attorney argued the government "blindly accepted an accountant's made-up story." The trial has sent shockwaves through Washington's legal community, where Goldstein was once a prominent figure before retiring in 2023 after his secret gambling lifestyle unraveled.