The high-stakes operation allegedly ran for nearly a year inside his Encino home.
WASHINGTON — Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested Wednesday in connection with an illegal gambling operation that allegedly ran high-stakes poker games out of a mansion he owned in Encino, federal prosecutors said.
Arenas, 43, was charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business and making false statements to federal investigators. He was one of nearly half a dozen arrested as part of a larger investigation involving suspected organized crime figures, including a high-level Israeli national.
The indictment alleges Arenas rented out his mansion between September 2021 and July 2022 specifically “for the purpose of hosting illegal poker games.” He allegedly enlisted another man, Arthur Kats, to stage the property, recruit hosts and collect rent from organizers on his behalf.
According to federal authorities, the poker ring featured Pot Limit Omaha and other illegal games, where organizers took a “rake” from each pot, either a percentage or fixed fee charged per hand.
Women were allegedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to players in exchange for tips, with a portion of their earnings withheld as a “tax.” Staff also included chefs, valets, and armed security guards.
Arenas, known by fans as “Agent Zero,” rose to fame in the early 2000s with the Washington Wizards and was a three-time NBA All-Star. His career was later derailed by injuries and a high-profile suspension in 2009, after he brought guns into the Wizards’ locker room during a dispute allegedly sparked by gambling debt.
Federal prosecutors say Arenas’ co-defendants include suspected Israeli organized crime figure Yevgeni Gershman, as well as Evgenni Tourevski, Allan Austria, Yarin Cohen, Valentina Cojocari and Ievgen Krachun. All except Cojocari were charged with conspiracy and illegal gambling offenses.
Gershman faces additional charges for allegedly entering into a sham marriage with Cojocari to gain permanent U.S. residency.
All six men are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for arraignment. If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison per count.
Arenas has not yet commented publicly. His last podcast episode, under the “Gil’s Arena” banner, was released July 17.
Great Job & the Team @ WFAA RSS Feed: news Source link for sharing this story.
