Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, along with five other individuals, was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This group, which includes a suspected member of an Israeli organized crime syndicate, is accused of conducting illegal high-stakes poker games at Arenas' mansion. The charges, as stated by federal prosecutors, include one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating such a business.
Arenas, 43, is additionally facing charges for making false statements to federal investigators. He is identified in the indictment by his nickname "Agent Zero," which he earned during his tenure with the Washington Wizards. After appearing in court, Arenas was released on a $50,000 bond after maintaining his innocence and pleading not guilty to the charges. His trial is set for September 23.
Jerome Friedberg, Arenas' attorney, spoke to the media outside the courthouse, emphasizing the presumption of innocence that his client deserves. Friedberg acknowledged he had limited time to discuss specifics of the case with Arenas but stressed the importance of due process.
The group arrested includes five other residents of Los Angeles, aged between 27 and 52. Among them is a 49-year-old man whom prosecutors describe as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel. According to the indictment, the group organized illegal poker games from September 2021 to July 2022 in the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. These games featured "Pot Limit Omaha" poker and involved participants paying a fee known as a "rake," which is a percentage taken from each hand played.
Prosecutors allege that one of the accused hired young women to serve drinks and provide massages to the poker players in exchange for tips. These women were reportedly charged a “tax,” which was a percentage of their earnings from these games. The operation also involved hiring chefs, valets, and armed security personnel to oversee the illegal activities.
The Israeli suspect faces additional charges, including marriage fraud and providing false information on immigration documents. He is believed to have conspired with a 35-year-old woman from Los Angeles to enter into a fraudulent marriage to secure permanent legal residency in the United States.
If found guilty, each defendant could face a maximum statutory sentence of five years in federal prison for each count. During his playing career, Arenas averaged 20.7 points over 11 seasons with four teams, with significant acclaim during his seven-plus seasons with the Washington Wizards, where he became a three-time All-Star known for his scoring ability.
However, Arenas' legacy in Washington ended controversially after a locker-room incident in January 2010 involving a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton, during which both players brandished firearms. This led to their suspension for the remainder of the season. Arenas briefly returned to the Wizards before being traded to the Orlando Magic. He subsequently played for the Memphis Grizzlies and later had a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association before retiring from the NBA.
Additionally, Arenas' son, Alijah Arenas, was a standout player in high school and is now a freshman at the University of Southern California. Unfortunately, his college basketball career is currently on hold due to knee surgery, and recovery is expected to take several months.
