Ex-NBA Star Gilbert Arenas taken into custody for running clandestine, high-stakes poker operations
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and suspected Israeli organized crime figure Yevgeni Gershman have been arrested for operating illegal high-stakes poker games at Arenas's Encino mansion from September 2021 to July 2022 [1][2][4].
The poker games, which were of Pot-Limit Omaha and had a rake, were managed by a team of four individuals: Gershman, Evgenni Tourevski, Allan Austria, and Yarin Cohen. The games were staffed with armed security, chefs, and valets to cater to the high-stakes nature of the events [1][2].
Young women were present, hired by Gershman, who served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to the poker players for tips. Ievgen Krachun acted as the chip runner, paid employees, and kept track of players' wins and losses [1][2].
Arenas, who made the All-Star three seasons in a row, made All-NBA teams three times, and received MVP votes during his best stretch, is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators [1].
Five other men, including Gershman, were also arrested on similar charges [1]. The USAO's press release makes no mention of prostitution in relation to the women's job duties [1].
The high-stakes, for-profit nature of the poker games may have attracted law enforcement attention, even though home games are usually not policed unless there are signs of crimes like violence or drug dealing involved [1].
Arenas played 11 seasons in the NBA, averaging 20.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game [1]. His best stretch was from 2004-2007, when he averaged 27.7 points per game [1].
Arthur Kats, not one of the other five men charged, staged the mansion for the games, found people to host the games, and collected rent for Arenas [1].
Sources: [1] USAO, Central District of California. (2022). Press release: Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and others charged with operating an illegal gambling business. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-nba-player-gilbert-arenas-and-others-charged-operating-illegal-gambling-business [2] Los Angeles Times. (2022). Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and four others charged with operating illegal gambling business in Encino. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-03/former-nba-player-gilbert-arenas-charged-with-operating-illegal-gambling-business [3] USAO, Central District of California. (2022). Press release: Suspected Israeli organized crime figure Yevgeni Gershman indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements on immigration documents. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/suspected-israeli-organized-crime-figure-yevgeni-gershman-indicted-charges-conspiracy [4] CNN. (2022). Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and others charged with operating illegal gambling business. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/03/us/gilbert-arenas-poker-gambling-charges/index.html
- The arrested individuals, including Gilbert Arenas, are not only accused of operating an illegal gambling business related to basketball and the NBA, but also of managing high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha poker games, which fall under the category of general news and crime and justice.
- Alongside his NBA career highlights, former All-Star Gilbert Arenas is currently also under investigation for his involvement in sports-related illegal activities, such as operating an illegal gambling business centered around poker games, making this matter a significant topic in the sports section as well as crime and justice news.
