WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. () — Billionaire and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck was arrested and released Tuesday in West Hollywood, authorities said.
Cloobeck turned himself in at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department station “on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged violation of dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim of a crime,” the law enforcement agency said Wednesday in a statement provided to 7.
“This investigation is being conducted by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station and the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the Adva Lavie investigation,” the statement said.
Cloobeck was released the same day after posting $300,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s department.
Lavie, a Los Angeles model accused of meeting men online and burglarizing their homes, in March was ordered to stand trial on six felony charges, prosecutors said. Detectives say Lavie allegedly extorted wealthy older men and younger women in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. They say she posed as a girlfriend or travel companion, then stole cash, credit cards and high-end designer items.
Eyewitness News has learned that Cloobeck was romantically involved with Lavie. Whether that relationship is ongoing is unclear.
Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, was held to answer on two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, two counts of grand theft, one count of first-degree residential burglary with person present and one count of first-degree residential burglary.
“This ruling means the evidence in this case will now be presented before a jury,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in March. “At her trial, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this defendant exploited trust built through online relationships to gain access to victims’ homes and steal from them. Her ability to deceptively influence others, whether in person or online, has now come to an end. Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who uses deception and manipulation to prey on others.”
LA model accused of meeting men online, burglarizing their homes faces 6 felony charges at trial
A Los Angeles model accused of meeting men online and burglarizing their homes was held to answer on six felony charges.
She previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to Cloobeck’s complaint, he attempted to prevent at least two alleged victims of Lavie, who are listed as witnesses in her criminal complaint, from testifying against her.
“It’s a very serious charge under California law. It’s a felony that faces the possibility of years in prison especially if force is used,” said Neama Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor. “Why would someone do this? Why would someone want to stop another person in another case from testifying? Well if there is a romantic reason, then absolutely, then the story makes more sense, so that’s why prosecutors are going to want to connect those dots.”
Rahmani added: “The fact that you have multiple victims here who were allegedly contacted is helpful for the prosecution. That way, you’re not relying on just the testimony of one witness. And of course, if there are emails, there are text messages, there are direct messages, that’s even more helpful.”
Cloobeck was a candidate for governor but dropped out and endorsed Eric Swalwell. He then kicked Swalwell out of his house, where Swalwell had been staying, once sexual assault allegations against Swalwell came to light.
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