Ex-NBA star Gilbert Arenas arrested for alleged illegal poker business
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested Wednesday on federal charges related to operating an illegal high-stakes poker business out of his Encino, California mansion. Arenas, who pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond, faces charges including conspiracy to run an illegal gambling business and making false statements to federal investigators. The indictment alleges the operation involved a suspected organized crime figure and ran from September 2021 to July 2022.
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a federal indictment alleging he hosted and operated illegal high-stakes poker games at his lavish Encino, California, residence. The charges were announced by the United States Attorney's Office of Central California.
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Arenas, 43, is officially charged with 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. He appeared in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently released on a $50,000 bond. His trial is currently scheduled for September 23.
His attorney, Jerome Friedberg, offered a brief statement outside the courthouse, indicating he had limited time to consult with his client and therefore could not comment extensively on the case. Friedberg emphasized Arenas's right to presumption of innocence, stating, "At this point in the case, he is presumed innocent, right? He has the same right as any other citizen to that presumption, and that's how he should be treated."
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The federal indictment also named Yevgeni "Giora" Gershman, described as a suspected high-level member of an Israeli organized crime group, along with four other associates, who were also arrested in connection with the alleged illicit gambling enterprise. Prosecutors claim the operation ran from September 2021 to July 2022.
According to the indictment, Arenas allegedly rented out his Encino mansion, and an associate then staged the property for the poker games. This associate also reportedly recruited co-conspirators to host the games and collected "rent" from them on Arenas's behalf.
The indictment further alleges that Gershman and the other defendants ran illegal Pot Limit Omaha poker games, among other forms of illegal gambling, and collected a "rake" – a cut from each pot contested. To facilitate these games, prosecutors contend the group hired chefs, valets, and armed security guards. Additionally, young women were allegedly hired to serve drinks, provide massages, and offer companionship to the poker players in exchange for tips, with the co-conspirators reportedly taking a percentage of these tips.
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It remains unclear who the players in these high-stakes games were, as the U.S. Attorney's office declined to provide further comment. If convicted on these charges, Arenas and the other defendants could face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.
This isn't the first time Arenas has faced legal trouble stemming from card games. In December 2009, during his time with the Washington Wizards, Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton were involved in a notorious incident where they brought guns into the locker room. Arenas later stated this altercation arose from a heated dispute over a card game on a team flight.
Arenas, 43, last played in the NBA in 2012 with the Memphis Grizzlies. A three-time All-Star, he averaged 20.7 points per game over parts of 11 seasons with the Wizards, Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic.
