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<\/div>\nFormer NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n As detailed by the LA Times<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Arenas isn\u2019t 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ricardo Corral and Jose Martinez Sanchez, two gang figures, were charged with murder and are now awaiting trial.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The assassination uncovered a high-stakes syndicate, including alleged Israeli organized crime figures (known as the Musli group) and Latino gang members.<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2022, a police raid on Gilbert Arenas’ mansion busted a poker game in progress, with 36 men and 12 women held. <\/span>The alarm was raised by a gambler who lost $1.2 million in one sitting, who informed the\u00a0 LAPD following threats from enforcers linked to Yevgeni Gershman (aka Giora).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Musli crime group is the single largest and one of the most violent organized crime groups in Israel, said a detective in the affidavit. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey are known for engaging in murder, car bombings, and extortion rackets throughout the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Arenas and Gershman were detained, along with Evgenni Tourevski (Eugene, 48), Allan Austria (Elica, 52), Yarin Cohen (YC, 27), and Ievgen Krachun (43).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The table games were played on a gold-trimmed poker table, emblazoned with \u201cArenas Poker Club.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Arenas faces a further charge of making false statements to federal investigators, allegedly lying about his involvement in the ring.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The three-time NBA all-star who featured for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, and Memphis Grizzlies, pleaded not guilty<\/a> to the charges during arraignment in Los Angeles, where a judge released him on a $50,00 bond.<\/span><\/p>\n Arenas will be called for the trial on September 23, with each charge leading to a potential five-year prison term.<\/span><\/p>\n Image credit: Keith Allison \/ Creative Commons 2.0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The post Gilbert Arenas indicted in gambling ring uncovered after 2023 Hollywood murder<\/a> appeared first on ReadWrite<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/readwrite.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Screenshot-2025-08-07-184140.png\")
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Each charge comes with the threat of a five-year prison sentence<\/span><\/h2>\n