Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was among six individuals apprehended on Wednesday following a federal indictment alleging their involvement in an illicit gambling operation based out of an Encino, California, mansion owned by Arenas. The Justice Department reports that Arenas is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
Details from the indictment, which was filed on July 15 and unsealed on Wednesday, reveal that Arenas and his co-defendants are accused of running an unlawful gambling enterprise from September 2021 to July 2022. Arenas reportedly leased his residence for the purpose of hosting high-stakes poker games, including `Pot Limit Omaha` variations. The defendants are said to have collected a `rake` (a percentage fee from each pot) and provided staff for the games, including young women, chefs, valets, and armed security personnel.
Among those implicated is 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, whom authorities suspect of being a figure in Israeli organized crime. In addition to the gambling-related charges, Gershman also faces accusations of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making a false statement on an immigration document. These stem from allegations that he conspired to enter into a fraudulent marriage with 35-year-old Valentina Cojocari to gain permanent legal status in the United States and subsequently lied to immigration authorities.
Additional defendants named include 48-year-old Evgenii Tourevski, 52-year-old Allan Austria, 27-year-old Yarin Cohen, and 43-year-old Ievgen Krachun. If found guilty, each defendant could face a maximum statutory sentence of five years in prison for each count.
Arenas is a three-time NBA All-Star, most notably remembered for his time with the Washington Wizards, where he spent the majority of his career after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 2001. He also played for the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association.
