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After Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested last week on suspicion of their involvement in illegal gambling, rumors swirled that Gilbert Arenas was cooperating with authorities to charge NBA numbers.
A former NBA star who got into trouble while playing was accused of running an illegal gambling operation from a home he owned in Southern California.
Shortly after his arrest in July, Arenas, who has pleaded not guilty, admitted that he would be a “snitch.” But on Friday he repeated live on air that he would only do so in his own case.
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NBA player Gilbert Arenas arrives at the District of Columbia Court on January 15, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smielowski/Getty Images)
Thus, Arenas denied any involvement in the latest case.
“I don’t know what this has to do with my case,” Arenas said. “I don't think you just go around telling them about cases you don't know. My case is different. I don't know what my business has to do with niggas who gamble and provide information on NBA games. What does this have to do with me?
“Common sense is common sense. This is a whole different breed – this shit has a name. I didn't have a name for the operation,” Arenas added, referring to the fact that Rozier and Jones were arrested in Operation Nothing But a Bet and Billups and Jones were arrested in Operation Royal Flush.
A federal indictment Obtained by Fox News Digital, Arenas was charged with one count of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, one count of operating an illegal gambling business and another count of making false statements to federal investigators.
According to the Department of Justice, Arenas, known as “Agent Zero,” is suspected of renting property in Encino, California, for the purpose of hosting high-stakes poker games.
Close-up of Washington Wizards Gilbert Arenas (0) on the court during a game against the Phoenix Suns in Washington, DC. (Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Federal charges were filed in Los Angeles. According to the document, Arenas is accused of entrusting Arthur Katz with organizing illegal games. Kats allegedly handled rent payments for other individuals who were also believed to be involved in the operation. Officials said they obtained text messages purporting to show conversations between Arenas and Kats about details of the games in question.
According to the indictment, one of the defendants, Yevgeny Krachun, was identified as the person who oversaw the gambling as it allegedly took place in the house. Another defendant, Yevgeny Gershman, was described by the Justice Department as a “suspected organized crime figure from Israel.”
During his career, Arenas was charged for bringing a weapon into the team's locker room during an argument with former teammate Javaris Crittenton. Crittenton served 10 years in prison for his role in the 2011 shooting.
Billups, Rozier and Jones, the latter of whom is a defendant in both cases, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The NBA announced that Billups and Rozier were placed on leave from their teams effective immediately, “and we will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities.”
Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones were arrested Thursday. (Jaime Valdez/Imagn Images, Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Greg Nelson/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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“The integrity of our game remains our top priority,” the NBA said.
Fox News' Shantz Martin contributed to this report.
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