Federal Judge Orders Rearrest of Supreme Court Lawyer
A federal judge in Maryland has ordered the rearrest of prominent Supreme Court attorney Thomas Goldstein after he was previously released on bail. Goldstein is facing serious allegations in a criminal tax evasion case, which accuses him of “hiding millions of dollars in cryptocurrency transactions from the IRS.” According to court documents, his alleged misconduct has persisted for over six years. Federal prosecutors argued that Goldstein poses a significant “risk of flight” due to his connections with affluent individuals, prompting them to request Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan to revoke his bail, citing violations of his pretrial release conditions.
Prosecution Alleges Concealment of Crypto Assets
The prosecution contends that Goldstein did not disclose his control over two “unhosted” cryptocurrency wallets—one located overseas and the other in the United States. In 2021 alone, he reportedly conducted around 200 transactions totaling more than $8 million, a significant increase from the $1.5 million he transferred through 80 undisclosed transactions the previous year. The court filings further reveal that Goldstein attempted to influence a potential witness by offering cryptocurrency shortly after becoming aware of the ongoing federal investigation.
Goldstein’s Legal Background and Debt Issues
Thomas Goldstein is well-known as the co-founder of SCOTUSblog, a prominent platform that provides in-depth analysis and summaries on Supreme Court decisions. Despite his successful legal career, Goldstein has faced severe financial difficulties, including substantial gambling debts. This troubling situation ultimately led to a 22-count indictment, which accused him of failing to report millions in poker winnings and of deliberately omitting over $14 million in debts to secure a loan. Following his involvement in more than 40 Supreme Court cases, Goldstein left his legal practice in 2023.
Recent Crypto Transactions Raise Red Flags
The latest warrant issued by federal prosecutors indicates that Goldstein received over $8 million in cryptocurrency and transferred more than $6 million in crypto within just five days. These transactions have raised concerns among prosecutors, who believe Goldstein is attempting to offshore his assets to evade authorities. Records show that approximately $73.6 million in USDC and USDT stablecoins were transferred using Ethereum’s ERC-20 standard from a specific wallet, which had been emptied by the time the indictment was issued on January 16.
Conversations Suggest Intent to Conceal Transactions
Court documents highlight conversations from 2023 between Goldstein and a so-called “fixer,” identified as the CEO of a luxury travel and concierge service based on the West Coast. In these discussions, Goldstein coordinated transactions and their corresponding crypto-to-cash conversions. At one point, the fixer stated, “In Dubai with the client that paid with the coin. I have your coin in the wallet ready to go when you are.” Goldstein’s pointed inquiry, “What crypto is it, please?” followed, indicating his active involvement in these transactions. Prosecutors argue that these exchanges demonstrate Goldstein’s alleged intention to obscure his financial activities through cryptocurrency, despite the transactions being publicly recorded on the blockchain.
Goldstein Denies Wrongdoing in Court Hearing
During the Monday bail hearing, Goldstein denied involvement in these transactions, asserting to Judge Sullivan, “These are not my accounts. I didn’t engage in these transfers.” A hearing to discuss Goldstein’s legal representation is set for February 12, followed by another session to evaluate the conditions surrounding his release.
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