Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas and five other individuals were arrested on charges of operating an illegal gambling business that allegedly hosted high-stakes poker games at a mansion in Encino, California. Among those arrested was Yevgeni Gershman, identified as a suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group.
Arenas, 43, also known as “Agent Zero,” faces charges including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating such a business, and making false statements to federal investigators. He is scheduled for his initial court appearance and arraignment in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
The indictment, returned on July 15 and unsealed today, outlines allegations that from September 2021 to July 2022, Arenas rented out his Encino mansion specifically for hosting the illicit poker games. Arthur Kats reportedly prepared the property for these events, recruited others to help host the games, and collected rent from co-conspirators on behalf of Arenas.
Others charged include Evgenni Tourevski of Tarzana; Allan Austria of West Hills; Yarin Cohen of Tarzana; and Ievgen Krachun of Tarzana. Each faces counts related to conspiracy and operation of the illegal gambling business. All are expected to appear in court this afternoon.
According to federal authorities, Gershman, Tourevski, Austria, and Cohen managed illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games at the mansion. They collected a fee or “rake” from each pot played during the games and invited participants to compete. Staff hired for these events included chefs, valets, armed security guards, as well as young women who served drinks or provided massages in exchange for tips—these women were also required to pay a percentage of their earnings back as a tax.
Krachun is alleged to have acted as a “chip runner,” responsible for tracking wins and losses among players, distributing chips, and paying employees.
In addition to gambling-related charges, Gershman and Valentina Cojocari face three additional counts: conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, marriage fraud itself, and making false statements on immigration documents. Prosecutors allege that Gershman conspired with Cojocari in early 2022 to enter into a sham marriage so he could obtain permanent legal status in the United States. Authorities claim both submitted false information on immigration forms regarding prior detentions by law enforcement officials and intentions concerning involvement in commercial vice activities such as illegal gambling.
Cojocari was also arrested today and will appear alongside the other defendants for arraignment.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that indictments contain only allegations: "Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court."
If convicted on all counts charged against them individually or collectively—including those relating specifically to marriage fraud—defendants could face up to five years in federal prison per count.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations’ Northridge Office along with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division – Transnational Organized Crime Section—and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Samuel J. Diaz leads prosecution efforts from the Transnational Organized Crime Section while Assistant United States Attorney Ryan J. Waters oversees asset forfeiture aspects of the case.
