Gilbert Arenas charged in federal illegal gambling case
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Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was taken into custody Wednesday after a federal grand jury accused him of running high-stakes, illegal poker games at his Encino, California, mansion between September 2021 and July 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said.
The 43-year-old faces one count each of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business and making false statements to federal investigators. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Arenas appeared in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. A trial date was set for Sept. 23.
Outside the courthouse, defense attorney Jerome Friedberg told reporters he had not yet fully reviewed the case. “He is presumed innocent,” Friedberg said. “He has the same right as any other citizen to that presumption, and that’s how he should be treated.”
Prosecutors also arrested Yevgeni “Giora” Gershman—identified as a high-level member of an Israeli organized-crime group—and four alleged associates. The indictment says the group organized Pot-Limit Omaha and other poker games, took a percentage of every pot, and employed chefs, valets, armed security guards and young women who served drinks, provided massages and offered companionship to players. Investigators allege the co-conspirators also kept a share of the servers’ tips.
Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the players who attended the games, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined further comment.
Imagem: espn.com
Arenas has a previous history involving card games. In December 2009, he and then-Washington Wizards teammate Javaris Crittenton brought firearms into the team locker room after an argument that began during a card game on a flight.
The three-time All-Star last played in the NBA in 2012 with the Memphis Grizzlies. Over parts of 11 seasons with the Wizards, Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic, he averaged 20.7 points per game.
Source: ESPN
