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PokerNews is in Greenbelt, Maryland for extra protection of the federal felony trial of legal professional and high-stakes poker participant Tom Goldstein, who’s accused of tax fraud associated to tens of millions in poker winnings.
In the present day’s proceedings may characteristic testimony from some large names, together with authorized analyst Jeffrey Toobin and high-stakes poker professional Andrew Robl, who the protection stated it anticipated to name to testify.
PokerNews was additionally on the courthouse on Wednesday and coated testimony from tax preparer Walter Deyhle, investor Dai Wai Chin Feman and IRS Particular Agent Jack McDonald.
Day 13 Ends
Feb. 5, 2026, 5:11 p.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Day 13 has wrapped up after the cross-examination and a quick re-direct of forensic accountant Zachary Marks. The trial will resume on Monday.
Skilled’s Credentials Questioned on Cross
Feb. 5, 2026, 5:07 p.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
After the jury returned from break, the protection completed its questioning of accountant Zachary Marks.
On cross-examination, the prosecution emphasised that Marks had by no means labored professionally as a tax preparer and made different efforts to discredit his experience.
Afternoon Break
Feb. 5, 2026, 2:56 p.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The jury has been despatched on a five-minute afternoon break forward of the cross-examination of Zachary Marks.
Skilled Witness Says Tax Advisor Was Negligent
Feb. 5, 2026, 2:24 p.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The protection known as Zachary Marks, a forensic accountant specializing in fraud investigations for FTI Consulting, as an professional witness to testify in regards to the practices of Tom Goldstein’s tax preparers at GRF CPAs & Advisors.
Marks testified that GRF was negligent and didn’t ask the required questions in making ready Goldstein’s taxes.
“They did not ask the inquiries to their tax shopper,” Marks stated.
Robl Again on Stand for Cross-Examination
Feb. 5, 2026, 1:47 p.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Andrew Robl is again on the stand after the lunch break for cross-examination about his relationship with Tom Goldstein.
The prosecution additionally requested Robl about his and Goldstein’s relationships with Malaysian playing mogul Paul Phua, together with whether or not he knew about Phua proudly owning a financial institution a Montenegro. Robl stated he did not.
Lunch Break
Feb. 5, 2026, 11:59 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The courtroom is on lunch break following the direct examination of protection witness and high-stakes poker professional Andrew Robl.
The trial will resume at roughly 1 p.m. native time.
Money Recreation Legend Andrew Robl Talks Teaching, Staking
Feb. 5, 2026, 11:30 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Money sport legend Andrew Robl took the stand to testify about teaching Tom Goldstein and staking him in his matches in opposition to Alec Gores, “Tango,” and “Chairman” that resulted in over $50 million in revenue — nearly all of which, the protection emphasised, didn’t go to Goldstein personally.
“I assumed I may practice him to beat Alec Gores and spend money on it and make some cash from it,” Robl stated when requested why he took the supply.
Learn extra about Robl’s testimony right here.
Actual Property Lender Takes Stand
Feb. 5, 2026, 11:21 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The prosecution’s ultimate witness of the day was Maxwell Howell of the true property settlement company MTA Title & Escrow in Maryland. Howell testified about Thomas Goldstein’s mortgage purposes and alleged failure to reveal playing money owed, although the purposes didn’t contain his agency.
Goldstein is accused of falsely omitting $15 million in playing money owed on purposes to 2 separate mortgage lenders.
Morning Break
Feb. 5, 2026, 11:01 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
The jury has been despatched on their morning break after the cross-examination, re-direct and a quick re-cross of IRS Particular Agent Jack McDonald. The prosecution will name another witness at this time.
Goldstein Blamed Accountants for “Catastrophic F***-Up”
Feb. 5, 2026, 10:59 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Day 13 started with cross-examination of IRS Particular Agent Jack McDonald, who testified about an interview he and different brokers performed with Goldstein at first phases of the investigation.
Goldstein’s legal professional, Jonathan Kravis, targeted particularly on cash Goldstein obtained from Malaysian playing mogul Paul Phua, which prosecutors declare was playing winnings disguised as loans.
Kravis additionally shifted blame from his shopper, having McDonald testify that, in the course of the IRS interview, Goldstein instructed brokers his tax hassle “all comes all the way down to a catastrophic f*** up” by his accountants.
Day 13 of Trial Underway
Feb. 5, 2026, 10:13 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Day 13 of the trial is now underway after Choose Lydia Kay Griggsby learn parts of Jeffrey Toobin’s New York Occasions story to the jury as a part of an settlement between the 2 events.
Choose Giggsby additionally famous quite a few related financial institution accounts that will probably be mentioned, together with these of Andrew Robl, Kevin Hart, Dan Bilzerian, Antonio Esfandiari, Eric Bonetta, Lauren Roberts, and Chamath Palihapitiya.
Catch-Up: What Occurred on Day 12?
Feb. 5, 2026, 9:51 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
On Wednesday’s Day 12 of the trial, the prosecution continued constructing its case and known as witnesses Walter Deyhle, who was Goldstein’s tax preparer, investor Dai Wai Chin Feman and IRS Particular Agent Jack McDonald.
That included a contentious cross-examination of Deyhle, who admitted to some errors in submitting Goldstein’s tax returns and with what he initially instructed IRS investigators.
Toobin Will not Testify
Feb. 5, 2026, 9:50 a.m. EasternConnor Richards — Reporting from Greenbelt, Maryland
Forward of Day 13 of the trial, Choose Lydia Kay Griggsby scheduled a listening to to listen to arguments on whether or not to subpoena authorized analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who wrote a tell-all piece for The New York Occasions Journal in December 2025. Prosecutors wished Toobin to testify and the protection has moved to quash the subpoena.
Nevertheless, the events knowledgeable Choose Griggsby this morning that they’d reached an settlement and the prosecution withdrew its request for Toobin to testify.
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
