Supreme Court lawyer and SCOTUSblog co-founder Tom Goldstein is fighting to have electronic monitoring of his devices removed, arguing in court filings that he is not a flight risk. Federal prosecutors strongly disagree, citing his alleged concealment of millions in cryptocurrency and connections to international figures.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently opposed Goldstein’s request, emphasizing that his actions show a significant risk of flight. Prosecutors point to a crypto wallet with the address “Tiger,” which received $500,000 in USDC at Goldstein’s direction. That same wallet has reportedly processed about $100 million in cryptocurrency transactions since November 2022.
The DOJ also highlighted Goldstein’s ties to individuals with access to large amounts of money, some of whom may be overseas. A man named “Larry,” referenced in filings, allegedly received payments from Goldstein, further suggesting his ability to move funds discreetly. Prosecutors argue that Goldstein’s use of third-party intermediaries and unhosted cryptocurrency wallets demonstrates a pattern of financial concealment.
Goldstein was first indicted in January for allegedly evading federal taxes on millions in gambling winnings. Prosecutors claim he understated his earnings by nearly $4 million in 2016, leading to more than $5.3 million in unpaid taxes. He was later taken into federal custody again after allegedly using undisclosed cryptocurrency accounts despite being under investigation.
The DOJ asserts that Goldstein continued moving large amounts of cryptocurrency after his arrest, including transactions totaling more than $14 million within a single week. More than $8 million was received, while over $6 million was sent out. The government believes these actions demonstrate an ongoing effort to conceal assets and evade accountability.
Goldstein also sought to remove the possibility of forfeiting his Washington, D.C., residence by offering up properties belonging to family members instead. Prosecutors, however, contend that his financial maneuvers raise concerns about his willingness to comply with court orders.
Federal filings detail how Goldstein allegedly failed to report nearly $1 million in cash brought back from a gambling trip to Macau and neglected to disclose millions in winnings from high-stakes poker matches in Asia. His tax returns from 2020 and 2021 reportedly omitted cryptocurrency transactions totaling over $10 million. Around 2022, he shifted from using exchange-hosted wallets, such as Coinbase and Binance, to unhosted wallets, which are more difficult to trace.
Prosecutors further pointed to two key wallets, the 935B wallet and the 54E3 wallet, as evidence of his continued financial deception. The 935B wallet, inactive since December 2024, saw an $8 million USDT transfer just days after Goldstein’s initial court appearance in 2025. Another $3 million USDT was transferred out shortly after the government filed a motion against his request to modify release conditions.
Similarly, the 54E3 wallet was linked to a professional gambler who transferred $242,410 to Goldstein. It remained inactive for nearly two years until a sudden transaction of more than $22,000 occurred coinciding with Goldstein’s legal efforts to remove restrictions on his D.C. home. Prosecutors argue this is yet another instance of his involvement in complex financial maneuvers designed to hide assets.
The DOJ maintains that Goldstein has a “long history of lying” and obfuscating financial activity, making electronic monitoring a necessary measure to prevent further undisclosed transfers or an attempt to flee.
