- Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and five others were indicted on federal charges for operating an illegal gambling business.
- The operation allegedly involved high-stakes poker games at an Encino mansion owned by Arenas.
- Arenas faces up to five years in prison for each count if convicted.
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and five other people, including ‘a suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group,’ were arrested Wednesday, July 30 on a federal indictment alleging they operated an illegal gambling business in Encino, California, according the U.S. Department of Justice’s Attorney’s Office, Central District of California.
Arenas, 43, is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business and one count of making false statements to federal investigators.
Also charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business:
- Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a suspected organized crime figure from Israel
- Evgenni Tourevski, 48
- Allan Austria, 52
- Yarin Cohen, 27
- Ievgen Krachun, 43
According to the indictment that was unsealed Wednesday, July 30, Arenas and the other defendants ‘operated an illegal gambling business. Arenas rented out an Encino mansion he owned for the purpose of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games. At Arenas’ direction, Arthur Kats, 51, of West Hollywood, staged the mansion to host the games, found co-conspirators to host the games, and collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas’ behalf.
‘Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen managed illegal ‘Pot Limit Omaha’ poker games, among other illegal games, at the Encino mansion, collected a ‘rake’ – a fee the house charged from each pot either as a percentage or a fixed amount per hand – and invited players to compete.
‘Gershman hired young women who, in exchange for tips, served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to the poker players. The women were charged a ‘tax’ – a percentage of their earnings from working the games. Chefs, valets, and armed security guards also were hired to staff these illegal poker games.’
Gershman and Valentina Cojocari, 35, are also charged with three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud; marriage fraud; and making a false statement on an immigration document.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Arenas spent 11 seasons in the NBA, including seven-plus seasons with the Washington Wizards. He was a three-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection. In the 2009-10 season, it was discovered Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards locker room and had an alteracation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton involing firearms in the locker room. The NBA suspended both players indefinitely, and Arenas ended up serving a 50-game suspension.
