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Stephen Cloobeck to enter plea for alleged witness tampering
According to Cloobeck's complaint, he attempted to prevent at least two alleged victims of his girlfriend Adva Lavie, who are listed as witnesses in her criminal complaint, from testifying against her.
LOS ANGELES - Billionaire real estate developer and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck is facing felony witness tampering and misdemeanor harassment charges in connection with the criminal trial of his fiancée, social media influencer Adva Lavie.
What we know:
Cloobeck, 64, was charged on April 28 with three felony counts related to attempting to prevent or dissuade witnesses in Lavie's case by force or threat, alongside a misdemeanor count of making annoying telephone calls to an alleged victim's attorney.
A felony arrest warrant filed in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges that Cloobeck tried to prevent three male victims from testifying against Lavie, 29. He was arrested in May in West Hollywood and freed on $300,000 bond.
Prosecutors allege he used force or the threat of violence to dissuade the witnesses. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly making "annoying phone calls" to an attorney involved in the case.
Lavie (also known as Mia Ventura), was ordered to stand trial on multiple felony counts including first-degree residential burglary and grand theft.
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Prosecutors accuse Lavie of cultivating relationships via dating apps and "Sugar Daddy" sites between 2023 and 2025 to gain access to wealthy individuals' homes in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Westlake Village to steal cash, gold, credit cards, and designer items. She had pleaded not guilty and was released on bail with an ankle monitor and orders to stay away from alleged victims.
On July 28, Lavie was taken into custody for a misdemeanor violation of a court order for allegedly removing her ankle monitor and on a separate Riverside County warrant related to the alleged theft of an $8,600 Rolex watch and designer accessories at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
What we don't know:
It's unconfirmed what specific statements or actions Cloobeck allegedly used when attempting to dissuade the witnesses.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Stephen Cloobeck arrested for alleged witness tampering
The arrest is reportedly linked to the pending trial of Cloobeck’s fiancée, Adva Lavie, who is accused of using dating apps to target and burglarize wealthy individuals.
It's also unknown whether defense motions regarding a mental health diversion program for Lavie will impact the trial proceedings.
Timeline:
- 2023–2025: Adva Lavie allegedly carries out a series of dating-app-related burglaries across Los Angeles County.
- Late 2025: Stephen Cloobeck ends his bid for California Governor.
- March 2026: A judge rules there is sufficient evidence for Lavie to stand trial on six felony counts.
- April 28, 2026: Cloobeck is formally charged with three felony counts of witness intimidation and one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls.
- May 12, 2026: Cloobeck is arrested in West Hollywood and released on a $300,000 bond.
- August 2026: Lavie is held without bail following a new arrest warrant out of Riverside County; Cloobeck is scheduled for arraignment in Los Angeles Superior Court.
What they're saying:
An attorney representing Cloobeck denied the allegations against him. Lavie has also pleaded not guilty to all pending charges.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mia Ventura facing trial on six felony counts
Social media influencer Adva Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, was re-arrested Tuesday night in Beverly Hills regarding a separate Riverside County theft allegation and court order violation.
What's next:
Cloobeck is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court for his formal arraignment on the felony and misdemeanor char
Meanwhile, Lavie is set for her next court hearing on Aug. 10 following her recent court appearance in Van Nuys.
The Source: This story is based on public court filings in Los Angeles Superior Court, official arrest records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Indio Police Department, press conferences by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and direct statements made by defense attorney Jeremy Lessem outside the court.