Basketball player Gilbert Arenas apprehended due to his suspected involvement in unlawful gambling, subsequently released from custody.
In a shocking turn of events, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, known as "Agent Zero," finds himself embroiled in an illegal gambling operation case in California.
The investigation, which began with the tragic murder of Emil Lahaziel in June 2023, has uncovered a broader network of illegal gambling activities in upscale mansions across Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the Hollywood Hills. Lahaziel was fatally shot in the face outside a luxury rental home in the Hollywood Hills during a high-stakes poker game.
Arenas, a resident of Woodland Hills, is one of several individuals charged in this case. He is facing three charges: conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
The illegal gambling operation involved high-stakes poker games held at a mansion in Encino, owned by Arenas. Prosecutors allege that he permitted his property to be used for these games between September 2021 and July 2022.
Arenas maintains his innocence, insisting he was not directly involved in the gambling operation. He posted a video on Twitter celebrating his release, stating he was not involved in the gambling operation.
Five other defendants have been charged alongside Arenas. Among them are Yarin Cohen, 27, also known as "YC," from Tarzana, Allan Austria, 52, a.k.a. "Elica," from West Hills, Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a.k.a. "Giora," of Woodland Hills, who is suspected to be an organized crime figure from Israel, Ievgen Krachun, 43, also from Tarzana, and Evgenni Tourevski, 48, a.k.a. "Eugene," from Tarzana.
Each of the aforementioned individuals, along with Arenas, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.
If convicted, each charge against Arenas carries a potential sentence of up to five years. He was released on a $50,000 bond after his arrest.
The investigation also revealed that some of the games in this network were hosted in homes rented by influencers and staffed with bartenders, private chefs, and women allegedly providing "companionship."
Arenas is scheduled to return to court on September 23. The outcome of this case promises to be a significant development in the world of sports and illegal gambling.
The former NBA star, Gilbert Arenas, is facing charges of operating an illegal gambling business, following an investigation linked to the murder of Emil Lahaziel during a high-stakes poker game. Arenas is not the only individual charged; Yarin Cohen, Allan Austria, Yevgeni Gershman, Ievgen Krachun, Evgenni Tourevski, and others have also been implicated. The illegal gambling operation involved upscale poker games held at a mansion in Encino, one of the properties owned by Arenas. If convicted, each charge against Arenas could potentially lead to a five-year sentence. The case is set to return to court on September 23 and may have significant implications in the worlds of both sports and crime-and-justice.
