Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested along with several other people in connection with operating an illegal gambling business.
A federal indictment alleges the operation included high-stakes poker games held at a mansion in Encino that was owned by Arenas.
The 43-year-old "a.k.a. 'Agent Zero,' of Woodland Hills, 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," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a release.
"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 office explained.
Bay Area pro sports team partners with Trader Joe’s for mini tote giveawayAlso charged in the indictment and arrested in connection with the illegal gambling business charges are:
Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a.k.a. “Giora,” of Woodland Hills; a suspected organized crime figure from Israel; Evgenni Tourevski, 48, a.k.a. “Eugene,” of Tarzana; Allan Austria, 52, a.k.a. “Elica,” of West Hills; Yarin Cohen, 27, a.k.a. “YC,” of Tarzana; and Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana.Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen are accused of managing illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games, among other illegal games, at the Encino mansion and "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 is also accused of hiring young women to serve drinks, give massages and "companionship to the poker players" in exchange for tips. However, they were charged a "tax" for working the games. Chefs, valets, and armed security guards were also hired for the games.
Krachun is accused of working as a “chip runner. He's accused of tracking players’ wins and losses, distributing poker chips to players and paid employees."
"Each of these defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business," the release continued.
If convicted, they would face a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
Gershman is an Israeli citizen. He and Valentina Cojocari, 35, of Woodland Hills, are charged with three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document.
"In early 2022, Gershman conspired with Cojocari to enter into a sham marriage for the purposes of obtaining permanent legal status in the United States and lied to immigration authorities to procure legal status for Gershman, who provided financial support to Cojocari in exchange for her participation in the sham marriage," the USAO said. "Both Gershman and Cojocari submitted false information on their U.S. immigration forms, including Gershman’s answers of 'no' as to whether he had ever been detained by any law enforcement official and as to whether he intended to engage in illegal gambling or any other form of commercialized vice.
Homeland Security Investigations’ Northridge Office, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division – Transnational Organized Crime Section, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
All of the defendants, including Arenas, are set to appear in court for their arraignments on Wednesday afternoon in the United States District Court in Los Angeles.
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