In Los Angeles, a high-profile legal case has emerged involving former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. Authorities took Arenas into custody alongside five others, with accusations of running unauthorized high-stakes poker games at a luxurious mansion in Los Angeles, which is reportedly under Arenas’ ownership. Federal prosecutors allege that Arenas, known by his NBA nickname “Agent Zero” from his tenure with the Washington Wizards, was not only involved in this illegal gambling operation but also misled federal investigators during their inquiry.
The six accused face charges of conspiracy to run an illegal gambling business along with the direct operation of such a venture. Arenas, aged 43, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles court, pleaded not guilty, and was released after posting a $50,000 bond. He faces an upcoming trial on September 23.
Jerome Friedberg, Arenas’ lawyer, commented outside the courthouse, emphasizing his client’s right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The attorney admitted limited interaction with Arenas and refrained from commenting further on the ongoing case.
The indictment implicates other individuals ranging from 27 to 52 years old, including a 49-year-old, who is suspected of having ties to organized crime in Israel. The charges allege that from September 2021 to July 2022, the defendants utilized the property located in Encino for illegal “Pot Limit Omaha” poker games. The operation allegedly involved players paying a “rake,” or a fee, which is standard in underground gambling circles.
Prosecutors detailed other roles within the operation, such as women who served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to gamblers for tips. These women reportedly paid a “tax” on their earnings from these services. In addition to personal roles, the enterprise employed chefs, valets, and armed security to facilitate these high-stakes games.
The Israeli suspect separately faces accusations of marriage fraud and making false statements on immigration forms. Allegedly, he collaborated with a 35-year-old woman in Los Angeles to engineer a sham marriage, aimed at securing legal residency in the United States.
Should they be found guilty, the accused could face a maximum federal prison sentence of five years per charge.
Gilbert Arenas, whose NBA career spanned 11 years with an average of 20.7 points per game, was known for his charismatic presence and scoring prowess. His most notable years were with the Washington Wizards, spanning from 2004 to 2011, during which he earned three All-Star selections. However, Arenas’ career took a downturn due to a notable incident in 2010 involving firearms in the team locker room, leading to his suspension along with teammate Javaris Crittenton.
After his NBA stint, Arenas briefly played for the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies, before concluding his career in the Chinese Basketball Association in the 2012-2013 season. Meanwhile, Arenas’ son, Alijah, once a high school basketball star in Los Angeles and a promising freshman at the University of Southern California, currently faces his own challenges. His collegiate basketball journey is paused for knee surgery, with recovery anticipated to extend over several months.