Poker-Playing Lawyer Appeals ‘Drastic’ Device Monitoring Conditions

Here is a rewrite of the article while preserving all key information:

Tom Goldstein, an indicted poker-playing lawyer, appealed his release conditions on Thursday after a Maryland judge ordered that his electronic devices be monitored. Goldstein was arrested earlier this month for allegedly violating his bail by sending millions from undisclosed cryptocurrency accounts. However, he later provided evidence showing he didn’t own the accounts, leading Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan to order his release.

Despite this, Judge Sullivan expressed suspicion that Goldstein had used cryptocurrency while on release conditions and modified his release to prohibit cryptocurrency use and require electronic device monitoring. Goldstein’s attorneys challenged this ruling, arguing that the monitoring condition arose from misleading information provided by the government, resulting in Goldstein’s unjustified incarceration.

The attorneys labeled the electronic device monitoring a “drastic condition of release” that risks disclosing privileged information. They argued that the cryptocurrency and monitoring requirements were based on erroneous conclusions and a misunderstanding of how cryptocurrency operates.

Prosecutors had accused Goldstein of sending and receiving millions in cryptocurrency from two undisclosed wallets since being indicted. Although Goldstein denied owning the wallets, Judge Sullivan found it “quite possible” that he did and ordered him to disclose all financial accounts and crypto wallets, as well as refrain from accessing, receiving, sending, or transferring any cryptocurrency.

Goldstein’s attorneys contended that the government’s theory of him co-owning or controlling the wallets had no merit, stating that no evidence suggested he had the ability to control the funds they contained.

Goldstein was charged last month in a 22-count indictment related to high-stakes poker winnings and losses, including tax evasion, preparing false tax returns, and making false statements on mortgage applications. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutors have alleged that Goldstein poses a significant flight risk and instructed potential witnesses to destroy evidence relevant to the charges.