2 months ago
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Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged with running an illegal gambling operation out of his mansion in Encino, California.
The case against him was announced by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California on Wednesday.
Named alongside Arenas are five co-conspirators who have been charged with operating and illegal gambling business. Arenas and the co-conspirators are set to be arraigned in Los Angeles this afternoon.
The other five people charged are as follows: Yevgeni Gershman, 49 (a suspected organized crime figure from Israel), Evgenni Tourevski, 48, Allan Austria, 52, Yarin Cohen, 27, and Ievgen Krachun, 43. The five above, plus Arenas, were detained without incident by LAPD, Homeland Security, and the IRS.
All six people have been charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Former Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested for operating an illegal gambling ring
An unsealed indictment reveals that from September 2021 to July 2022, Arenas rented out a mansion in Encino - north of Hollywood - 'for the purpose of hosting high-stakes illegal poker games', according to officials.
The US Attorney's Office says a man named Arthur Kats staged the mansion to host the games 'at Arenas' direction' and also 'found co-conspirators to host the games, and collected rent from the co-conspirators on Arenas' behalf.'
Officials say that the operation even included a poker felt labeled 'ARENAS POKER CLUB' - featuring an image of Arenas in his basketball uniform and his No. 0.
'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,' officials say.
Krachun, meanwhile, worked as a "chip runner" - tracking the wins and losses of the players involved, distributing poker chips, and paying employees.
Gershman has been accused of hiring young women to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to the players in exchange for tips. These women were also charged a 'tax' - a percentage of their earnings from working the games. Additionally, chefs, valets, and armed security guards were hired.
Beyond the games, Gershman has also been charged with three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document.
Gershman faces these charges alongside 35-year-old Valentina Cojocari - who he is alleged to have conspired to enter into a sham marriage with for the purpose of obtaining permanent legal status in the US.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
