Gilbert Arenas arrested: What we know about the federal gambling indictment

USA Today

3 days ago

Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and five other individuals were arrested on Wednesday as part of a federal indictment tied to a gambling business.
According to the Department of Justice, the individuals operated a high-stakes power games at an Encino mansion that Arenas owned. He was 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.
Note that Arenas has not been convicted of a crime and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Who else was involved in this alleged poker ring?
Per the DOJ, five other individuals were also charged in the indictment and arrested.
Per NBC News, each were picked up "without incident" on Wednesday by agents with LAPD, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Gershman is a suspected "high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group" as well.
When did this allegedly happen?
The DOJ noted that the defendants allegedly operated the gambling business from September 2021 until July 2022.
The basketball player's likeness was apparently part of the branding, per NBC News:
The operation even included a poker felt labeled "ARENAS POKER CLUB" with the image of Arenas in his basketball uniform and famed No. Zero, officials said.
Arenas allegedly rented the Encino mansion that he owned for the poker games and another individual, Arthur Kats, collected rent to pay Arenas on his behalf.
Gilbert Arenas is making a court appearance this afternoon
Arenas will make his first appearance later this afternoon at the United States District Court in Los Angeles.
Could the former NBA player go to prison?
Yes, if he is found guilty, Arenas could potentially face time in prison. Here is more:
"If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count."
Arenas is facing three counts, so he could potentially face a maximum of 15 years in federal prison.