Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested
Prosecutors allege he hosted high-stakes illegal poker games at his Encino home from September 2021 to July 2022.
The indictment charges Arenas with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, running that business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
He is accused of renting out his mansion and directing co-conspirators, such as Arthur Katz, to stage the games, collect rent, and recruit participants.
The games reportedly included Pot Limit Omaha, with players charged a 'rake' per hand or pot.
Court records indicate the operation included staff like chefs, armed security, and valets. Young women were allegedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship, some reportedly paying a 'tax' on their tips.
One defendant, Levgen Krachun, worked as a 'chip runner,' tracking player wins and distributing poker chips.
Arenas pleaded not guilty in federal court and was released on a $50,000 bond.
His trial is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison per count.
Among the five co-defendants arrested are Yevgeni Gershman, identified as a suspect in an Israeli-based organized crime group and also charged with immigration fraud tied to a sham marriage; Evgenni Tourevski; Allan Austria; Yarin Cohen; and Levgen Krachun.
Each faces similar gambling-related charges.
The case surfaced amid renewed attention on Arenas after the Netflix documentary Untold: Shooting Guards, which revisited incidents from his playing days, including the 2009 gun-related locker room confrontation that led to his suspension
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