SCOTUSblog Founder Tom Goldstein Arrested for Alleged Flight Risk and Witness Tampering
On Monday, February 5, 2025, Tom Goldstein, founder of SCOTUSblog, was arrested after prosecutors argued he posed an “urgent risk of flight” and had interfered with potential witnesses in his ongoing legal case. Court documents revealed that Goldstein had transferred millions of dollars in cryptocurrency through undisclosed, unhosted wallets over the past five days, while attempting to shed the bond conditions placed on his residence by claiming he was financially destitute. Prosecutors have alleged that Goldstein made false statements to pretrial services officers, violating 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Goldstein, who was charged on January 16, 2025, in a 22-count indictment related to tax crimes and false statements to mortgage lenders, allegedly secured millions of dollars in loans from affluent individuals to fund his high-stakes international poker habit. Despite claiming financial hardship, prosecutors discovered Goldstein had a bank account with a balance of $250,000 and was spending significant amounts on various luxury services, including $5,000 a month on a housekeeper and $8,000 on a personal assistant.
Prosecutors also contend that Goldstein posed a threat to the administration of justice, claiming he had attempted to influence witnesses in the case. They allege that Goldstein offered cryptocurrency to a potential witness who had detailed knowledge of his and his law firm’s finances, suggesting he was trying to prevent the witness from cooperating with authorities.
Goldstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His defense attorneys have stated that they expect his exoneration at trial. In a motion to modify his release conditions, Goldstein’s legal team argued that he is not a flight risk, citing his long-standing legal career and extensive travel history without attempting to flee. The motion also emphasized that Goldstein had been aware of the investigation for over four years and had consistently returned to the U.S. after overseas trips.
However, prosecutors moved to strike this motion, asserting that it had been signed and prepared by Goldstein himself, not his legal counsel. Goldstein’s arraignment was attended by his lawyers, John F. Lauro and Stuart Berman, with Stanley J. Reed representing him during Monday’s bail hearing.
