Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is in serious legal trouble after being arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly running high-stakes underground poker games out of a mansion he owned in Encino.
The three-time All-NBA guard was taken into custody along with five other defendants, “including a suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California.
Arenas is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday. He has been 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. Each charge carries a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison.
BREAKING: Gilbert Arenas and five other defendants – including a suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group – were arrested today on a federal indictment alleging they operated an illegal gambling business in which high-stakes poker games were… pic.twitter.com/i9KxTwn2Xb
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“According to the indictment returned on July 15 and unsealed today, from September 2021 to July 2022, [suspected organized crime figure from Israel Yevgeni] Gershman, Arenas, and the other defendants operated an illegal gambling business,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a 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.”
Federal prosecutors allege the crew organized “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games and other high-stakes contests. The indictment states that young women were recruited to work the events where they “served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to the poker players” in exchange for tips. The women were required to pay a “tax” on their earnings back to the organizers.
Authorities also said the games featured armed security, chefs, and valet attendants, making the operation appear like a full-scale casino.
At this stage, Arenas and the other defendants are awaiting court proceedings as the federal case moves forward.
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