The Big Lead

NBA star arrested for illegal gambling, connected to Israeli organized crime leader

The three-time All-Star is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday in California after being charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.

By J.P. Hoornstra

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas during the Midnight Tipoff at Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University on Sept. 28, 2010.
Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas during the Midnight Tipoff at Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University on Sept. 28, 2010. / Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
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Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas was arrested along with five other defendants, including a suspected high-level member of an Israeli organized crime group, on a federal indictment alleging they operated an illegal gambling business out of an Encino mansion Arenas owned.

The charges, filed by the Department of Justice in the Central District of California, include one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and one count of operating an illegal gambling business.

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Arenas is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday along with the five other defendants. The DOJ identified one, 49-year-old Yevgeni Gershman, as "a suspected high-level member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group."

Arenas, 43, played for the Golden State Warriors (2001-03), Washington Wizards (2003-11), Orlando Magic (2011) and Memphis Grizzlies (2011-12) across 11 NBA seasons.

The announcement from the DOJ contains even more lurid details about the poker games hosted at the mansion Arenas rented out:

"Gershman hired young women who, in exchange for tips, served drinks, provided massages, and offered companionship to the poker players. The women were charged a “tax” – a percentage of their earnings from working the games. Chefs, valets, and armed security guards also were hired to staff these illegal poker games. "

- DOJ release

The DOJ release states the six men face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count if convicted.

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