Gilbert Arenas has been indicted by federal prosecutors for allegedly operating an illegal poker ring from a mansion he owns in Encino. The indictment, unsealed on July 30, accuses Arenas and five others of running raked poker games with paid staff, collecting illegal profits, and misrepresenting his involvement to federal investigators.
What Are The Charges Against Gilbert Arenas?
According to prosecutors, the operation ran from September 2021 through July 2022 and involved significant organization, staffing, and revenue collection. Arenas faces three felony charges for his alleged role.
- Conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business
- Operating an illegal gambling business
- Making false statements to federal investigators
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Who Was Charged With Gilbert Arenas in Poker Indictment?
Along with former NBA star, Arenas, several other names were mentioned in the indictment. They are:
- Yevgeni “Giora” Gershman
- Evgenni Tourevski
- Allan Austria
- Yarin Cohen
- Ievgen Krachun
- Valentina Cojocari
Gershman is described by prosecutors as a suspected Israeli organized crime figure. He is accused of helping Arenas manage the poker nights and oversee the logistics of the operation.
Gershman also faces separate charges for a fraudulent marriage to Valentina Cojocari, allegedly arranged to avoid deportation.
Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen were responsible for running the actual poker games, handling cash, coordinating players, and managing rake collection.
Krachun worked as a chip runner, keeping records of winnings and losses and distributing chips and cash as needed.
Cojocari faces charges related to the sham marriage with Gershman and is accused of making false statements to immigration authorities.
How the Arenas Poker Operation Was Run
Federal documents say the poker nights were not casual home games. Prosecutors claim they operated like an unlicensed private casino. Pot Limit Omaha games were held regularly at Arenas’ mansion. Organizers collected rake from each hand or pot, which is illegal under both California and federal law.
Staff were hired to serve players, including chefs, valets, chip runners, and armed guards. Women were paid to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer social interaction. Some of these women were reportedly required to give a portion of their tip earnings back to the organizers, creating another layer of profit for the operation.
Text messages cited in the indictment show Arenas coordinating logistics and staffing through an associate named Arthur Kats, who helped stage the house, recruit hosts, and collect rent from others involved.
Why the DOJ Took Over the Case
Although the games violated California gambling laws, the case was escalated to the federal level due to Gershman’s alleged ties to organized crime and the immigration fraud tied to his marriage. Those elements gave the DOJ jurisdiction and allowed the case to be built as a federal conspiracy.
However, the “organized crime” label used in the indictment is not backed by detailed evidence of wider syndicate involvement. There’s no mention of money laundering or transnational activity. The charges rely mostly on the scale of the games, the use of staff, and the profit structure through rake and tips.
What Happens Next for Arenas
Arenas and the five co-defendants were arraigned on July 30 in federal court in Los Angeles. No trial date has been announced. It’s unclear whether Arenas plans to fight the charges or enter into a plea deal.
Because the charges are non-violent and Arenas has no recent criminal record, it’s possible the case could end in a plea with probation. But given his public profile and prior issues with gambling, including a 2009 locker room gun incident tied to a card game, prosecutors may push harder for a public sentence.
