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Gilbert Arenas Arraigned on Federal Charges Over Illegal Encino Poker Ring

Pleading not guilty at his July 30 arraignment, he secured release on $50,000 bond ahead of a trial set for September 23.

Overview

  • A federal indictment unsealed July 30 charges Arenas with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating the business and making false statements to investigators.
  • Prosecutors contend the poker ring ran from September 2021 to July 2022 at an Encino mansion hosting high-stakes “Pot Limit Omaha” games that levied a rake and employed chefs, servers and armed security.
  • Yevgeni “Giora” Gershman, identified as a suspected Israeli organized crime figure, is among six defendants and faces additional counts for marriage fraud and false immigration statements.
  • The operation was uncovered through a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Los Angeles Police Department and the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit.
  • If convicted, Arenas faces up to five years in federal prison per count and must return for a status hearing on September 15 before trial begins on September 23.