Lawyer’s Big Gamble: Taxes, Loans and Poker

A federal jury in Greenbelt found a prominent Maryland attorney guilty of a wide range of fraud, potentially sending him to prison for almost four decades.

Key Findings

• Hidden Millions: The defendant allegedly hid millions of dollars earned from poker and failed to file tax returns for several years.
• False Mortgage Claims: He submitted fraudulent applications to two mortgage companies, omitting over $14 million in debt and providing false statements that secured nearly $2 million for a $2.6 million Washington, D.C., home.
• Misappropriated Funds: Fees that should have gone to his law firm were redirected into a personal account and recorded as legitimate legal expenses.
• Lavish Lifestyle: The illicit funds funded travel, high‑end goods, and substantial debt on his poker table.

Background

• The attorney had an extensive record of arguing before the Supreme Court and helped launch a popular legal blog.
• Despite this reputation, his legal knowledge was turned against the system.

Potential Sentencing

The actual sentencing date is still pending.

Takeaway

This case underscores how a professional’s legal acumen can be exploited, turning advocacy into high‑stakes fraud that ultimately results in severe jail time rather than financial gain.