Former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators. These charges were announced in a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California.

Arenas is accused of managing an illegal gambling enterprise from September 2021 to July 2022 at a mansion he owned in Encino, California. During a recent court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently released on a $50,000 bond. Arenas is scheduled for trial on September 23. Alongside Arenas, five additional defendants have also faced charges related to conspiracy and operating an illegal gambling operation, which includes the arrest of Yevgeni Gershman, identified in the statement as a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.

The allegations involve high-stakes poker games hosted at Arenas' mansion, specifically including games of Pot Limit Omaha (PLO). It is reported that another individual, Arthur Kats, allegedly orchestrated activities at the mansion under Arenas' direction. According to the statements, Kats was responsible for setting up the games, recruiting co-conspirators, and managing rental arrangements on behalf of Arenas. Reports suggest these gatherings also involved the employment of young women to serve drinks and provide companionship to the poker players, along with chefs, valets, and armed security personnel. Should the defendants be convicted, they face a maximum statutory sentence of five years in federal prison per count, with Arenas potentially facing up to 15 years due to the three counts against him.