Feds Nab Ex-NBA Star Arenas in Poker Scandal at Encino Mansion

Gilbert Arenas Faces Legal Troubles Over Alleged Illegal Poker Operations

Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, known for his time as a guard on the Washington Wizards, has found himself in legal trouble after being arrested and charged with conspiracy for allegedly running illegal high-stakes poker games. Alongside five others, Arenas is accused of organizing these underground gambling events at a mansion in Encino, California.

According to court records, Arenas, 43, rented out an Encino mansion he owned between September 2021 and July 2022 for hosting high-stakes illegal poker games. Players were reportedly required to pay a "rake," or tax, to participate, in addition to their bets. The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles released a statement detailing the allegations against Arenas, who is identified by his nickname "Agent Zero" in court documents.

Arenas faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. During a brief court appearance in downtown Los Angeles, Arenas wore red basketball shorts and a shirt with the words "just grind," and he pleaded not guilty.

Key Individuals Involved in the Case

Alongside Arenas, several other individuals have been indicted. These include Yevgeni Gershman, 49, of Woodland Hills; Evgenni Tourevski, 48, of Tarzana; Allan Austria, 52, of West Hills; Yarin Cohen, 27, of Tarzana; and Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana. Prosecutors described Gershman as a "suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group."

Cohen and Krachun also pleaded not guilty during the court proceedings, while Gershman’s hearing was continued. According to prosecutors, Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen managed the poker games. Gershman allegedly hired young women to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer "companionship" to players, according to the indictment.

Details of the Illegal Activities

The operation began in September 2021, as revealed in the indictment. Arthur Kats, 51, reportedly texted Arenas asking if he planned on hosting his own game. Arenas allegedly responded that he “might throw plo games at my house,” referring to illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games at the “Gable House.”

Authorities noted that Kats was not arrested alongside the other defendants and that law enforcement is actively searching for him. In subsequent months, Arenas allegedly coordinated the dates and costs of hosting the games, even sending images of a gold-trimmed poker table and a basketball jersey bearing his name.

In December 2021, Kats allegedly informed Arenas that he owed $14,000 for tables and chairs used to start the games. That same month, Arenas reportedly told Kats that the rake from an illegal poker game should go to the mother of a deceased former lover.

Additional Allegations and Past Incidents

In February 2022, Gershman allegedly sent coded messages to women inviting them to work at the illegal poker games. One message reportedly asked if a woman was open to engaging in prostitution at the house. According to the indictment, Gershman explained that he took 25% to 35% of the earnings from the women working at the games.

A game held in July 2022 allegedly drew 26 players and more than a dozen staff, including chefs, valets, and armed security guards. Authorities stated that when the house was raided, illegal gambling activities were in full swing, with people detained or questioned.

Arenas sought to recover funds seized from his master bedroom by Homeland Security Investigations on July 20, 2022. He allegedly falsely claimed he wasn't involved in the events taking place at the house.

A History of Legal Issues

This is not the first time Arenas has faced legal issues related to gambling. In 2009, he and then-Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton allegedly pulled guns on each other during a locker room argument over a card game. Although no charges were filed, Arenas was suspended for most of the 2009-10 NBA season.

Additionally, Arenas' 18-year-old son, Alijah, was briefly placed in a coma after a serious car accident earlier this year. However, he has since recovered, and neither drugs nor alcohol were involved in the crash.