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Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas was arrested on Wednesday after the Department of Justice accused him of running an illegal gambling operation from a property he owned in Southern California.
Arenas pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on $50,000 bond.
A federal indictment revealed that Arenas was charged with conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas attends a game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Duke Blue Devils at McKale Center on Nov. 22, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Arenas, also known as “Agent Zero,” is accused of renting a property in Encino, California, to host high-stakes poker games, according to the Justice Department.
According to the indictment filed in Los Angeles, Arenas allegedly instructed Arthur Kats to organize illegal games and handle rental payments for other individuals involved in the operation. Text messages between Arenas and Kats discussing the games were obtained by officials.
The Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas during a game against the Phoenix Suns in Washington, D.C. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
One of the defendants, Ievgen Krachun, was allegedly overseeing the gambling activities inside the home, while another defendant, Yevgeni Gershman, was described as a “suspected organized crime figure from Israel.”
Court documents did not name attorneys for Arenas or the other defendants. The co-defendants are accused of receiving money from prize pots and recruiting women to provide services to gamblers.
Coach Gilbert Arenas of the Enemies is introduced before a game against the Triplets during BIG3 — Week Four at the American Airlines Center on July 31, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images for BIG3)
The property owned by Arenas was raided in July 2022 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who seized money during the search. Arenas filed a petition with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in response.
Arenas last played in the NBA during the 2011-12 season with the Memphis Grizzlies and is best known for his time with the Washington Wizards. He currently hosts the “Gil’s Arena” podcast.
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