May 7, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Gilbert Arenas (10) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers point guard Mo Williams (25) during the first half of game four of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles, California – Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and five others were arrested Wednesday on federal charges related to an illegal gambling operation allegedly run out of an Encino mansion owned by Arenas, according to an indictment unsealed in Los Angeles federal court.
Arenas, 43, known to basketball fans as “Agent Zero,” is charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He is expected to appear in court later today.
The operation allegedly ran from September 2021 to July 2022 and involved high-stakes poker games at the mansion. Prosecutors say Arenas rented out the property for the express purpose of hosting the games and directed a co-conspirator to stage the location, recruit hosts, and collect rent from organizers.
Among the co-defendants is Yevgeni Gershman, 49, a suspected member of an Israeli transnational crime group. He is accused of orchestrating the games alongside others, including Evgenni Tourevski, 48, Allan Austria, 52, Yarin Cohen, 27, and Ievgen Krachun, 43—all of whom face similar charges. Authorities say they managed “Pot Limit Omaha” and other poker formats, charged players a rake per hand, and coordinated a sprawling staff that included security guards, valets, chefs, and young women hired to serve drinks, give massages, and offer companionship.
The indictment further alleges that these women were required to pay a “tax” on their earnings from the games, and that Krachun acted as a “chip runner,” distributing chips, tracking financials, and handling payouts.
In a related development, Gershman and Valentina Cojocari, 35, face additional charges of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud, and making false statements on immigration documents. Prosecutors allege Gershman paid Cojocari to enter into a sham marriage to obtain U.S. legal residency, submitting falsified documents and omitting details of his alleged criminal activity.
The case marks a rare intersection of celebrity, organized crime, and federal immigration enforcement. Arenas, who spent over a decade in the NBA and was once the face of the Washington Wizards franchise, responded dismissively to the charges in a social media video posted late Wednesday. Smiling and dancing outside a courthouse, he captioned the post, “This aint got s— to do with me” and “Wasnt apart of the Festivities.”
If convicted, Arenas and the other defendants face up to five years in federal prison for each charge. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
