Gilbert Arenas and Suspected Israeli Crime Figure Arrested Over Illegal High-Stakes Poker Games

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested alongside five others for allegedly running an illegal gambling business from a rental property he owns in Los Angeles. As detailed in a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Central District of California, the 43-year-old retired basketball player turned podcaster was charged alongside five others, including 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, an individual suspected of being a member of an Israeli organized crime group.

"From September 2021 to July 2022, Gershman, Arenas, and the other defendants operated an illegal gambling business," reads the statement. "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."

The six were arrested on a federal indictment and o have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and operating an illegal gambling business. Arenas is also facing one count of making false statements to federal investigators.

The other four defendants named in the press release are 48-year-old Evgenni Tourevski, 52-year-old Allan Austria, 27-year-old Yarin Cohen, and 43-year-old Krachun. All of them are scheduled to make court appearances and arraignments in the Los Angeles U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

According to the unsealed indictment, Arenas and Gershman operated high-stakes illegal poker games from the former's Encino-area mansion. Gershman also hired "young women" for these illegal gambling events who would serve drinks, perform massages, and offer "companionship" to participants in exchange for tips. These women were allegedly charged a tax that took a percentage of anything they made working the events. Additionally, valets, armed security, and chefs were hired.

Gershman is also facing separate charges alongside 35-year-old Valentina Cojocari, who was arrested on Wednesday. The pair has been charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document. Gershman, who is an Israeli citizen, allegedly married Cojocari and offered her money in exchange to gain legal status in the United States.

If convicted, all of the defendants face up to five years in federal prison for each charge. This isn't Arenas' first brush with the law, as he was previously arrested in Los Angeles for possessing illegal fireworks in 2013.