(AsiaGameHub) –   Gilbert Arenas, a former NBA player, faces potential imprisonment of up to 5 years if convicted of operating an illegal gambling scheme in California. Despite his plea of not guilty, federal prosecutors contend that he managed a sophisticated high-stakes poker operation.

The NBA Star Is Believed to Have Run an Illegal Gambling Den

Arenas, along with five other individuals, was apprehended in connection with an alleged poker ring operating within a mansion in Encino, Los Angeles. Federal prosecutors assert that this illicit operation featured high-stakes poker games and functioned as a highly organized business.

Beyond facilitating illegal poker, Arenas and his alleged accomplices are accused of employing women to provide companionship to the players involved in the illegal games. The mansion, reportedly rented by Arenas, was said to be equipped with armed security and hired chefs to support the operation.

The complaint includes photographic evidence that appears to depict an ornate poker table bearing the inscription “Arenas poker club.”

Arenas has been arrested alongside several other individuals believed to be associated with the alleged illegal gambling enterprise.

Arenas Says He Is Innocent

Arenas and five others were taken into custody last week. Other individuals named in the legal proceedings include Evgenni Tourevski, Yarin Cohen, Ievgen Krachun, and Yevgeni Gershman.

The former NBA star has been indicted on charges including conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators, with each count carrying potential penalties.

The charge related to false statements stems from Arenas’s alleged untruthful responses to inquiries about the poker operation. Prosecutors claim Arenas informed officers that he had no involvement in the scheme, despite the prosecution’s assertions to the contrary.

Arenas was subsequently released on a $50,000 bond and has consistently maintained his innocence. He posted a video on social media on the day of his arrest, stating that law enforcement “cannot hold” him as he “wasn’t a part of the festivities.”

However, the legal proceedings are ongoing, and the former NBA star now faces the possibility of up to five years in prison due to his alleged participation in the operation.