07 Nov 2025 According to the Los Angeles Times, a man from Israel who has been in trouble with the law many times in the US is now facing a new federal charge. The suspect is accused of sending a threatening text message to a high-stakes poker game host in Los Angeles. Assaf "Ace" Waknine, 52 years old, is reported to have attempted to coerce the person in charge of the poker game in Beverly Hills to pay him for "protection." To get the poker host to pay him money, the court document indicates that he intimidated him, promised harm, and even brought up a recent murder. Law enforcement officials believe Waknine is currently hiding in Mexico. In 2011, the U.S. authorities terminated his stay after finding him guilty of several crimes. He may now be trying to intimidate members of the underground poker scene, according to court documents. The FBI provided this information in a signed statement, which also involved the Crips. Court Document. Image courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) High-Stakes Poker Games Risks According to the FBI, they have enough proof to charge Waknine with sending life-threatening texts across state and foreign boundaries. The FBI provided this information in a signed statement, which they sent to the U.S. District Court in California on October 31. Authorities have not yet found him, and his whereabouts remain uncertain. Wealthy individuals, including celebrities and professional athletes, frequent private poker games in Los Angeles. On the other hand, police assert that the private poker game, despite its apparent charm, is associated with organized crime. The police are looking into several high-stakes games that famous people, such as Gilbert Arenas and Chauncey Billups, have been part of, which they think are run by criminal groups from Israel and Italy. According to the new charges, Waknine sent a poker host, who is called "Victim-1" in the court documents, a bunch of mean and threatening WhatsApp texts. Law enforcement contends that the texts were sent in January 2024, not long after Emil Lahaziel, an Israeli man who was 39 years old, was shot and killed outside of one of Victim-1's poker games in Los Angeles. According to the police, Waknine demanded money to "protect" them and a portion of the poker game's profits. The texts got meaner and referenced killings that had already happened because the host wouldn't pay. A message thought to be from Waknine stated: “You hang up on me one more time, and then you’ll f*ing understand.” ** When the host said they didn’t know who was texting since they were in a meeting, the reply was: “F* your meeting.”** A different message warned: “I guess you really want to end up like your other poker buddy.” As per the investigators, Waknine brought up Lahaziel's murder to scare the host, since he knew they were friends. Links to Violent Gangs and an Extortion Network According to court papers, Waknine had already established a method for obtaining money from individuals in the U.S. prior to being deported to his home country. FBI agent Matthew Hernandez said that Waknine and his brother Hai Waknine committed crimes with the help of people who were known to be in gangs. The FBI indicates that the brothers collaborated with members of the Mexican Mafia and the Crips, which is one of the largest street gangs in the U.S. Several individuals asserted that these groups used intimidation, pressure, and solicitation tactics to obtain financial gain. The buy-ins for the poker games ranged from $20,000 to over $1 million, representing a substantial amount of cash. On some nights, individuals could win or lose more than a million dollars. Several well-known individuals, including wealthy business owners, experienced poker players, and rich amateur players, took part in these games. To create an elegant atmosphere, Victim-1 hired cooks, servers, waitstaff, valets, and skilled poker dealers. Officials stated that the events were more than just poker nights. They resembled fancy parties for the wealthy, featuring extensive security and top-notch service. “Protection Fees” and a Pricey Refusal The host had already paid for private security, but Waknine is said to have wanted $5,000 per game for "his own protection." Investigators stated that he did not have the authority or right to demand this money. Victim-1's refusal to pay led to the use of intimidating texts as evidence in the case. Waknine never received any money from the host. Authorities say Waknine used his criminal history, which includes charges of assault and fraud, to get other people to give him money. Some say that his plan relied on instilling fear, leveraging his gang connections, and maintaining a reputation for violence. Rising Worry Over LA’s Underground Poker Scene Recently, Los Angeles officials have taken several steps to stop illegal high-stakes poker. This case is one of them. People from gangs and crime organizations want to get involved because of the money, fame, and influence. If found guilty, Waknine could face massive penalties from the federal government. For now, the case remains open because the police are still searching for him. Poker Community Reaction As usual, the poker community had something to say about the news. Dont__Drink_The_Milk: Comment byu/Famous_Quit_5239 from discussion inpoker overbet12345: Comment byu/Famous_Quit_5239 from discussion inpoker itschaboy: Comment byu/Famous_Quit_5239 from discussion inpoker sad_boy2002: Comment byu/Famous_Quit_5239 from discussion inpoker 1HuffleShuffle: Comment byu/Famous_Quit_5239 from discussion inpoker
