Thomas Goldstein, a former Supreme Court lawyer known for his prolific appellate work and co-founding the legal blog SCOTUSblog, was sentenced Friday to six years in prison for tax evasion and mortgage fraud. The 56-year-old attorney, who argued more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court, was convicted in February on multiple charges including failing to report millions of dollars in poker winnings and providing false information to mortgage lenders.

During a six-week trial, prosecutors detailed how Goldstein allegedly concealed significant income derived from high-stakes poker games by funneling winnings through offshore bank accounts. This scheme, they argued, was designed to evade federal taxes on millions of dollars earned outside his legal practice. Additionally, the prosecution said Goldstein understated his income from his law firm and misrepresented his financial obligations to lenders when applying for mortgages.

Goldstein’s career distinguished him from many peers by his entrepreneurial path to the appellate bar, which relied less on traditional credentials such as Ivy League degrees and prestigious clerkships and more on a practical approach to law. His influence was felt widely through his appearances before the Supreme Court and his role in establishing SCOTUSblog, which is regarded as a key resource for legal professionals and observers of the Court.

The jury found Goldstein guilty on 12 of the 16 charges he faced, including tax evasion, willful failure to pay taxes promptly, and mortgage fraud. His sentencing caps a dramatic fall from a respected figure in high-level legal advocacy to a convicted felon, underscoring the legal consequences of financial misconduct even for those with prominent careers.