NOTE: It is a creating story and might be up to date as extra info is made accessible.
Prosecutors in Tom Goldstein’s federal tax fraud trial over high-stakes poker video games need Goldstein in custody as he awaits sentencing, in accordance with court docket paperwork reviewed by PokerNews.
A jury in Greenbelt, Maryland convicted Goldstein on Wednesday of 12 of 16 counts in his high-profile trial stemming from ultra-high-stakes poker matches that noticed him profitable over $50 million in 2016 alone.
In a court docket submitting on Thursday, Goldstein’s attorneys mentioned the federal government had introduced in court docket for the primary time “that it intends to hunt the detention of defendant Thomas Goldstein pending sentencing,” which they mentioned was “fully unwarranted” and contradicts the advice of Pretrial Providers.
Sentencing within the case might nonetheless be months out, that means Goldstein could spend weeks in custody as he awaits his destiny on costs that carry stiff most penalties.
Beforehand Deemed a Flight Threat
Arguing towards Goldstein’s detention, his attorneys famous the excessive curler complied together with his 20 present situations of launch for the previous 12 months, which embody surrendering his passport, limiting journey to the Washington, D.C. space, no contact with over 80 people, and a prohibition on playing.
A choose in Maryland beforehand deemed Goldstein a flight danger after prosecutors alleged he did not disclose thousands and thousands in cryptocurrency transfers, noting his intensive abroad ties. That features his pal, consumer and backer Paul Phua.
However Goldstein’s legal professional’s argued that “any danger on that rating has been adequately addressed up to now by the quite a few present launch situations, together with restrictions on journey, laptop monitoring, and monetary reporting.” In addition they famous Goldstein was beforehand allowed, with no opposition from the federal government, to attend his kid’s commencement abroad.
“This observe document of compliance with launch situations helps a discovering that Mr. Goldstein is unlikely to flee,” they wrote.
In a press launch on Thursday, Assistant Legal professional Normal A. Tysen Duva mentioned the decision “holds Thomas Goldstein accountable for dishonest the tax system and mendacity to mortgage lenders.”
“Goldstein selected fraud and deceit over honesty and tried to cheat the American taxpayer whereas residing a lavish way of life,” mentioned US Legal professional Kelly O. Hayes. “He gambled that he wouldn’t get caught, and that gamble didn’t repay. Our workplace, together with our law-enforcement companions, is dedicated to holding these accountable who break the regulation, irrespective of who they’re.”
Prosecutors and Goldstein’s attorneys did to answer requests for remark from PokerNews following the decision.
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
