Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested in connection with a federal indictment tied to an alleged high-stakes gambling ring, which has now brought attention to a 2023 murder in the Hollywood Hills.
The indictment follows the investigation into the execution-style killing of 39-year-old Emil Lahaziel, who was shot in the face outside a luxury home on Fareholm Drive in the early hours of June 7, 2023. The investigation prompted LAPD detectives to begin connecting dots between a series of underground poker games hosted in multimillion-dollar mansions across Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the Hollywood Hills.
Authorities say the murder ultimately led them to uncover a sprawling illegal gambling operation, culminating in the recent arrests of Arenas and five other defendants.
As detailed by the LA Times, the attack took place while illicit poker activity was going on inside, and it later transpired that Arenas had rented his plush mansion for the underground activity to take place.
Arenas isn’t a suspect or thought to be involved in murder, nor was he at the location when it happened, but the event led LAPD detectives to understand the bigger picture.
Ricardo Corral and Jose Martinez Sanchez, two gang figures, were charged with murder and are now awaiting trial.
Each charge comes with the threat of a five-year prison sentence
The assassination uncovered a high-stakes syndicate, including alleged Israeli organized crime figures (known as the Musli group) and Latino gang members.
Authorities have indicated the operation has been active since late 2021, with a rake applied (fee collection from each large pot), as well as high-interest loans, and extortion over significant debts accrued.
In 2022, a police raid on Gilbert Arenas’ mansion busted a poker game in progress, with 36 men and 12 women held. The alarm was raised by a gambler who lost $1.2 million in one sitting, who informed the LAPD following threats from enforcers linked to Yevgeni Gershman (aka Giora).
“The Musli crime group is the single largest and one of the most violent organized crime groups in Israel, said a detective in the affidavit.
“They are known for engaging in murder, car bombings, and extortion rackets throughout the world.”
Arenas and Gershman were detained, along with Evgenni Tourevski (Eugene, 48), Allan Austria (Elica, 52), Yarin Cohen (YC, 27), and Ievgen Krachun (43).
The table games were played on a gold-trimmed poker table, emblazoned with “Arenas Poker Club.
Arenas faces a further charge of making false statements to federal investigators, allegedly lying about his involvement in the ring.
The three-time NBA all-star who featured for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies, pleaded not guilty to the charges during arraignment in Los Angeles, where a judge released him on a $50,00 bond.
Arenas will be called for the trial on September 23, with each charge leading to a potential five-year prison term.
Image credit: Keith Allison / Creative Commons 2.0
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