Washington — Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, 43, was
arrested Wednesday on federal charges linked to an illegal high-stakes poker
operation allegedly run out of his Encino, California mansion.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Arenas faces:
One count of conspiracy to operate an
illegal gambling business
One count of operating an illegal gambling
business
One count of making false statements to
federal investigators
If convicted, Arenas could face up to five years in prison per charge.
Details from the Indictment
The Operation: Arenas allegedly rented out
his property, known as the "Gable House," for poker nights. The games
were coordinated with Arthur Kats (51),
who helped organize events and manage finances.
Co-Defendants: Yevgeni Gershman (described
as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel), Evgenni Tourevski, Allan
Austria, Yarin Cohen, and Ievgen Krachun also face gambling-related charges.
Illegal Activities: The ring allegedly
profited by taking cuts from prize pots and hiring young women to serve drinks,
provide massages, and offer companionship to players—then collecting a share of
their earnings.
Evidence: Investigators obtained text
messages between Arenas and Kats detailing game arrangements, financial
transactions, recruiting staff, and security preparations. Custom poker tables
featuring Arenas’ name and image were also mentioned.
Raid and Aftermath
The mansion was raided by Homeland Security
agents on July 20, 2022, during
which cash was seized. Arenas later attempted to reclaim the money through a
petition to U.S. Customs and Border Protection but allegedly lied to
investigators about his involvement.
Additional Charges
Co-defendant Yevgeni Gershman faces extra charges of marriage fraud, conspiracy, and making
false statements on immigration documents, linked to a sham marriage with
Valintina Cojocari.