Federal authorities in Los Angeles have brought charges against Assaf “Ace” Waknine, an alleged Israeli organized crime figure, accusing him of orchestrating an **Israeli Mobster Extortion** scheme targeting the operators of high-stakes underground poker games in Beverly Hills and the surrounding Los Angeles area. The allegations paint a grim picture of the city’s clandestine gambling scene, involving threats, violence, and even arson, including the destruction of a luxury vehicle. This **Israeli Mobster Extortion** case involves deep roots in organized crime rings.
The High-Stakes World of Underground Poker and Israeli Mobster Extortion
The investigation into Waknine centers on a network of private, high-dollar poker games that reportedly took place in luxurious settings across Los Angeles. These games featured buy-ins starting at $20,000, attracting players who could win or lose millions in a single night. The operations were elaborate, employing cocktail waitresses, card dealers, bartenders, chefs, DJs, security guards, and valets, creating an environment where hosts could potentially earn over $100,000 per night by taking a portion of the staff’s tips. However, this lucrative underground economy has also been marred by violence and criminal activity, often facilitated by the **Israeli Mobster Extortion** tactics.
Allegations of Extortion and Threats by an Israeli Mobster
Prosecutors allege that Assaf Waknine, operating from a distance, used his reputation and the implied threat of violence to extort money from the hosts of these games, a clear example of **Israeli Mobster Extortion**. According to a federal agent’s affidavit, when a host balked at Waknine’s demands for protection fees, Waknine allegedly alluded to the 2023 murder of Emil Lahaziel, who was shot and killed outside a Hollywood Hills poker game. Text messages cited in the affidavit reportedly read, “I guess you really want to end up like your other b— a— poker buddy.” The charges against Waknine include transmitting threatening communications in interstate and foreign commerce, part of the **Israeli Mobster Extortion** playbook. His attorney has denied these accusations, stating that his client does not engage in such activities.
The alleged shakedown tactics also reportedly involved acts of arson, including the torching of a Bentley, and other threats aimed at coercing payment. Waknine, an Israeli national who was previously deported from the United States in 2011, is believed to be living in Mexico and is not currently in custody, continuing his pattern of **Israeli Mobster Extortion** from abroad.
A Pattern of Criminal Activity Tied to Israeli Mobster Operations
Assaf Waknine is no stranger to law enforcement. He has prior convictions for assault, burglary, forgery, and illegal eavesdropping. His alleged criminal activities are part of a broader pattern involving his brother, Hai Waknine, who has a significant history in organized crime. Hai Waknine was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for racketeering. His convictions stemmed from charges involving extortion, threats of violence, and helping an Israeli crime group launder nearly $2 million in embezzled funds. Hai Waknine was known as a “shakedown collections guy” within the Israeli community, engaging in schemes that involved loans, debt collection, and the use of intimidation, including kidnapping. The brothers have been on the Los Angeles Police Department’s radar since their teenage years, their activities often involving **Israeli Mobster Extortion**.
Broader Connections to Organized Crime and Israeli Mobster Rings
The current investigation into Waknine is part of ongoing federal probes into Israeli organized crime rings operating in the Los Angeles area. These groups have been linked to various illicit activities, including trafficking the drug Ecstasy and money laundering. The high-stakes poker scene has also seen other alleged organized crime figures and celebrities implicated. Notably, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was federally indicted on charges related to operating an illegal gambling business involving high-stakes poker games at his Encino mansion. Several other individuals, including suspected members of Israeli organized crime groups, were charged alongside Arenas in that separate but related operation. Authorities have indicated that some players in these illegal games lost vast sums and subsequently faced threats and extortion, a hallmark of **Israeli Mobster Extortion**.
Implications for Los Angeles News and the Fight Against Extortion Schemes
This case highlights the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in combating sophisticated organized crime networks that exploit lucrative underground economies, including various extortion schemes. The allegations against Assaf Waknine and the broader context of illegal gambling and extortion in Los Angeles serve as a stark reminder of the criminal elements operating beneath the glitz of Southern California. The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to shed further light on the intricate operations and connections within these illicit networks, providing crucial news for the region and shedding light on **Israeli Mobster Extortion**.
