Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas denies involvement in recent illegal gambling case, clarifying his previous statement about ‘snitching’ was specific to his own investigation.
Arenas, who pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business and operating such a business, emphasized during a livestream that he would only provide information related to his own case. The former All-Star player, known for his time with the Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics, had previously made a controversial statement about cooperating with authorities, but now insists that his actions are unrelated to the current probe involving other NBA players like Terry Rozier and Damon Jones.
The recent arrests of Rozier, Billups, and Jones have raised questions about the extent of their involvement in the gambling operation. According to the indictment obtained by Fox News Digital, Arenas was charged with running an illegal gambling ring from a home in Southern California. The Justice Department alleges that Arenas rented a property in Encino, California, to host high-stakes poker games and instructed Arthur Kats to oversee rental payments for other participants. The investigation also names Ievgen Krachun as the person who oversaw the gambling activities and Yevgeni Gershman, a suspected organized crime figure from Israel.
Arenas has been a controversial figure in the NBA since his 2016 incident involving a dispute with former teammate Javaris Crittenton, where he was charged for bringing guns into the team’s locker room. Crittenton later served 10 years in prison for his role in a 2011 shooting. The NBA has responded to the current investigation by placing Billups and Rozier on immediate leave from their teams, stating that the integrity of their game remains their top priority.
The case highlights the increasing scrutiny on high-profile athletes in the NBA for alleged involvement in organized crime and illegal activities, raising questions about the broader implications for the league’s reputation and player conduct. As the investigation continues, the NBA and its players face pressure to address the issue of corruption within the sport.