Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas finds himself embroiled in serious legal trouble, facing federal charges tied to an alleged illicit high-stakes poker operation run from his luxurious Los Angeles-area mansion.

The 43-year-old former basketball sensation was recently taken into custody, alongside five other co-defendants, on accusations that include operating an illegal gambling business and making false statements to federal investigators. This significant development marks a new chapter in Arenas’s post-NBA career, now defined by judicial scrutiny.

Among those charged is Yevgeni Gershman, identified by prosecutors as a “suspected organized crime figure from Israel,” highlighting the alleged sophisticated and potentially dangerous network behind the operation. The involvement of such figures suggests a meticulously orchestrated venture.

According to the federal indictment, the elaborate poker ring purportedly ran from September 2021 to July 2022, utilizing Arenas’s opulent Encino residence as its clandestine hub. This period saw high-stakes games allegedly transpire under the radar of legal authorities.

Further details from the indictment allege a disturbing aspect of the operation: Gershman was reportedly responsible for recruiting young women to “serve drinks, provide massages and offer companionship” to the players in exchange for tips. Prosecutors claim these women were then subjected to a “tax” on their earnings, indicating a system of exploitation.

Beyond the alleged entertainment services, the illegal poker ring apparently boasted a fully-fledged infrastructure. This included the hiring of professional chefs to cater to the participants, valets for discreet parking, and even armed security guards, underscoring the scale and perceived professionalism of the illicit enterprise.

Text messages exchanged between the defendants reportedly yielded crucial evidence, including a photograph of a poker table prominently displaying Arenas’s name and likeness, directly linking him to the alleged illegal gambling activities. This isn’t Arenas’s first brush with the law; he previously faced charges in January 2010 for illegal gun possession following an incident during a card game in the Washington DC Wizards locker room, underscoring a recurring theme of legal entanglements beyond the basketball court.