Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas is in hot water after being arrested by federal agents and accused of operating an illegal gambling business out of an Encino mansion in Los Angeles. While Arenas now awaits a September 23 trial that could land him behind bars for up to 15 years, the drama outside the courtroom is heating up—especially with his longtime rival, Kwame Brown.
According to the Department of Justice, Arenas was one of six individuals arrested in connection to the case, which includes ties to a high-ranking member of an Israeli transnational crime organization. The charges leveled against Arenas include conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, operating an illegal gambling business, and making false statements to federal investigators.
Authorities allege that the ex-Washington Wizard rented out his lavish Encino home for underground poker games, a claim that Arenas has denied. He insists he simply rented the space and had no control over what took place inside.
After posting a $50,000 bail and spending only a short time behind bars, Arenas hasn't missed a step. A viral video of him clowning Brown—his former Wizards teammate turned public nemesis—quickly made the rounds. In it, Arenas mocks Brown’s YouTube troubles, joking, “I got out of real jail before you got out of YouTube jail... all you got to do is hit a button!”
The video was a direct response to Brown’s celebratory reaction to Arenas’ arrest. Brown has frequently taken jabs at Arenas in the past, including accusing him of derailing Nick Young’s second act in media. Young, however, doesn’t seem fazed—in fact, he was already gearing up to temporarily take over Gil’s Arena, the sports show Arenas hosts, just hours before Arenas made bail.
Despite the looming legal battle and possible prison sentence, Arenas hasn’t lost his trademark sarcasm or his willingness to fan the flames of an old feud.
Source: YouTube
