LOS ANGELES
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas and five others — including a suspected member of an Israeli transnational crime syndicate — were arrested Wednesday on federal charges tied to an illegal high-stakes poker operation at an Encino mansion owned by Arenas, federal officials stated.
Arenas, 43, also known as “Agent Zero,” faces charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and lying to federal investigators. He is scheduled for arraignment this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Others charged and arrested include:
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Yevgeni Gershman, 49 (“Giora”), of Woodland Hills – suspected organized crime figure
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Evgenni Tourevski, 48 (“Eugene”), of Tarzana
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Allan Austria, 52 (“Elica”), of West Hills
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Yarin Cohen, 27 (“YC”), of Tarzana
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Ievgen Krachun, 43, of Tarzana
Each faces two counts related to operating the illegal gambling ring.
According to the indictment unsealed Wednesday, from September 2021 to July 2022, Arenas leased his Encino property for poker games. At his direction, associate Arthur Kats staged the home, recruited game hosts, and collected rent on Arenas’ behalf.
Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen allegedly ran illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” games, collected rake fees, and invited players. Gershman also hired women to serve drinks, offer massages and companionship — in exchange for tips and a cut taken by organizers. Chefs, valets, and armed security staffed the games. Krachun acted as a “chip runner,” tracking wins and losses and distributing poker chips.
Gershman also faces additional charges alongside Valentina Cojocari, 35, for allegedly entering a sham marriage to fraudulently obtain U.S. legal status. Both allegedly lied on immigration forms, concealing Gershman’s criminal activity and prior detentions. Cojocari was also arrested today.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison per count.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (Northridge), the LAPD’s Major Crimes Division – Transnational Organized Crime Section, and IRS Criminal Investigation.