Exposed: Secretive Poker Realm in Hollywood Hills Connected to a Fatal Homicide
In the heart of California, an intricate web of high-stakes illegal poker games has been uncovered, linking together celebrities, organized crime, and gang members. This clandestine poker circuit, which operates out of mansions in Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the Hollywood Hills, has been the centre of a recent investigation.
The probe was initiated following the tragic killing of Emil Lahaziel, a 39-year-old Israeli national who owed a substantial debt in his native Israel. Lahaziel moved to Los Angeles just a few months before his death in the Hollywood Hills, reportedly to break into the vape industry. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he became embroiled in these illicit poker games.
The games, which brought together Israeli organized crime figures, Latino gang members, and deep-pocketed gamblers, were run by a group of individuals who hired chefs, bartenders, and women offering companionship services to players in exchange for tips. The poker events were not just about games; they also offered alcohol, drugs, and guns.
One of the individuals charged in the investigation is Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA all-star. Arenas has pleaded not guilty to hosting illegal poker games in his Encino home. Prosecutors didn't charge Arenas, Gershman, and their alleged conspirators until last week. Arenas' co-defendants are alleged to have handled tasks such as organizing dealers, managing security with armed guards, tracking finances, and distributing poker chips. One alleged co-conspirator is a suspected member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group.
The investigation was triggered when a desperate man sought help from the LAPD, claiming he had lost $1.2 million playing cards and was threatened by Israeli mob figures. The man accused the host of cheating and refusing to pay his marker.
Another individual charged is Manuel Quintero, alleged to be a member of the Mexican Mafia prison syndicate. Quintero was arrested in connection with Lahaziel's death. The LAPD obtained a search warrant for Arenas' home in July 2022, but Arenas was not present during the raid.
The LAPD is still investigating the motive for Lahaziel's killing, but his death led to the investigation of these high-dollar poker games. The games, while legal in California if no rake is taken, turned into an illegal enterprise by profiting directly and using criminal methods to enforce debts and collect money.
This investigation exposes a large, organized illegal gambling operation that intertwines celebrities, organized crime, and gang members, highlighting the gray area between legal poker hosting and criminal enterprise through illegal racketeering and extortion.
- The clandestine poker circuit, which operates in Los Angeles, California, encompasses mansions in Encino, Sherman Oaks, and the Hollywood Hills, and has been linked to celebrities, organized crime, and gang members.
- The recent investigation into these high-stakes poker games was initiated due to the tragic killing of Emil Lahaziel, a 39-year-old Israeli national who relocated to Los Angeles to break into the vape industry but instead found himself embroiled in these illegal poker games.
- The poker events, held in Hollywood Hills, offered more than just games, as they also provided alcohol, drugs, guns, and even hired services like chefs, bartenders, and women offering companionship.
- Among those charged in the investigation is Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA all-star, who has pleaded not guilty to hosting illegal poker games in his Encino home.
- The investigation revealed that another individual, Manuel Quintero, allegedly a member of the Mexican Mafia prison syndicate, was arrested in connection with Lahaziel's death, further linking the poker games to crime and justice matters in the general news.
