Former NBA All-Star and host of the Gil’s Arena podcast Gilbert Arenas is among six individuals arrested Wednesday in connection with an alleged illegal high-stakes gambling ring that operated out of a luxury Encino mansion that Arenas owned, according to a federal indictment unsealed today.
Arenas, 43, who played 11 seasons in the NBA and is known by his nickname “Agent Zero,” faces 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.
The indictment alleges Arenas rented out his Encino property from September 2021 to July 2022 to host poker games, including “Pot Limit Omaha,” which were managed and promoted by a network of co-conspirators. Authorities say Arenas directed the setup of the home for gambling, tasked others with collecting rent, and helped coordinate the operations.
Among the others arrested is Yevgeni Gershman, 49, of Woodland Hills – also known as “Giora” – who is believed to be a high-ranking member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group. He is accused of managing the games, hiring staff, and facilitating additional illicit activity tied to the enterprise.
Also charged are Evgenni Tourevski, 48, of Tarzana; Allan Austria, 52, of West Hills; Yarin Cohen, 27, of Tarzana; and Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana. Each faces conspiracy and illegal gambling charges and is expected to appear in federal court Tuesday afternoon.
According to the indictment, the poker games generated income through a “rake” system, in which the house took a portion of each pot. In addition to card dealers and chip runners, young women were allegedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to players. Prosecutors say the women were required to pay a “tax” on their earnings to the organizers.
Authorities say Gershman also conspired with 35-year-old Valentina Cojocari to commit marriage fraud. The two allegedly entered a sham marriage in early 2022 to secure legal U.S. residency for Gershman. Both face additional charges related to fraud and false statements on immigration documents.
Cojocari was also arrested and is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. If convicted, each defendant could face up to five years in federal prison per count.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations in coordination with the LAPD’s Major Crimes Division and IRS Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Transnational Organized Crime Section.
As with all criminal charges, the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Arenas has been hosting his Gil’s Arena podcast since 2023, and also collaborated on the No Chill podcast previously. Arenas made headlines recently on his podcast revealing he was talking to NBC about joining their NBA coverage beginning this fall, and that he has also been in talks with Joy Taylor for the past year about joining his media company.
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