Stephen Cloobeck, a billionaire and prominent donor to the Democratic party, has found himself at the center of legal troubles following an arrest on charges of allegedly interfering with his fiancée’s impending court trial.

The 64-year-old is accused of trying to intimidate or dissuade a witness from providing testimony in the case involving his partner, Ada Lavie. Lavie, who has been accused of targeting and robbing elderly wealthy men, stands alongside Cloobeck in denying all allegations.

The 28-year-old Lavie entered a not guilty plea to six felony charges, including grand theft, burglary, and unauthorized use of personal identification, during a court appearance in Los Angeles earlier this year. As a result, she was required to wear an ankle monitor.

Prosecutors claim Lavie engaged in a scheme where she allegedly lured affluent older men into elaborate traps, exploiting them for money and a lavish lifestyle.

Known for her past as a Penthouse Pet model and her influence on social media under the alias Mia Ventura, Lavie is accused of infiltrating the homes of her wealthy companions and making off with cash, high-end fashion items, and jewelry.

She is set to tie the knot with Cloobeck, a real estate tycoon who founded timeshare company Diamond Resorts, on June 18 near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Cloobeck surrendered in West Hollywood on the outstanding felony warrant. 

He was booked at the station just before 11am, and was released on a $300,000 bond at 1.17pm.

Cloobeck has denied the allegations. ‘These charges are false and we look forward to our day in court,’ he said in a statement through his lawyers. 

Billionaire Democrat donor Stephen Cloobeck has been arrested for allegedly tampering with an upcoming court trial. The real estate tycoon has been accused of attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness from testifying. He has denied the allegations via his attorney 

Cloobeck also hit the headlines after his wedding to model Adva Lavie was thrown into disarray when she was accused of robbing wealthy old men. She has pleaded not guilty

If convicted on the felony charge, the billionaire faces up to four years in prison. The Daily Mail has contacted police for more information.

Cloobeck was a longtime donor to Eric Swalwell until sexual assault allegations against the former Democrat Congressman were aired in mid-April. 

Hours before Swalwell dropped his bid for California Governor, Cloobeck told the New York Post he was no longer supporting him and had kicked him out of his Los Angeles mansion. 

‘I am no longer supporting Eric,’ Cloobeck said on April 12. ‘F***ing tell everyone I’m a libertarian. F*** you, Democrat Party. I’m a libertarian now.’ 

Days before, a court slapped his fiancee with an ankle monitor and ordered her to surrender her passport, which could scupper their plans to wed in Jerusalem.  

Lavie was ordered by a judge to stay in California, and showed her angst when confronted by reporters about the potential breakdown of her nuptials. 

‘I just can’t wait for this nightmare to be over with,’ she told the California Post, as she left the courthouse in a striking green ALO sweat suit and matching green handbag.

Lavie was ordered by a judge to not leave California without permission and was fitted with an ankle monitor, and told reporters she ‘just can’t wait for this nightmare to be over with’ as she left the courthouse in a green ALO sweat suit and matching green handbag

Lavie, 28, was ordered to wear an ankle monitor after pleading not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom in early April to six felonies, including grand theft, burglary and unauthorized use of identifying information

Lavie faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted, and reportedly showed her displeasure at her arraignment as she was seen grabbing at her electric ankle monitor when she left court.

It is unclear when she began her relationship with Cloobeck, who made headlines last year with a longshot bid to become the next Governor of California. 

After dropping his candidacy, Cloobeck gave more than $1 million to Swalwell’s campaign, and he is now among hundreds of supporters trying to claw back their donations through an attorney. 

He told the Post that Swalwell had been staying at his palatial Beverly Hills mansion, but he kicked him out as soon as he heard about the sordid allegations. 

‘I have a lot of people who stay at my house,’ Cloobeck said. 

‘I built a gorgeous place, my dream home, I relish it, and I’m a very generous man. I’m very thoughtful and I’m very kind.’ 

Police records show Cloobeck turned himself in to Los Angeles cops in West Hollywood on Tuesday morning after receiving a warrant for his arrest

Eric Swalwell has been married to Brittany Ann Watts, a sales director at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, since October 2016, and they share three children together 

It came just weeks after Cloobeck called Swalwell his ‘little brother’ during an interview with Politico, and he previously shot down rumors about him allegedly acting inappropriately with female staffers before they became formal charges. 

Swalwell has been accused of sexually assaulting at least five women, including a former employee. 

The married Congressman was among a group of Democrats leading the race to replace Gavin Newsom as leader of the nation’s most populous state – but his campaign imploded days after shocking claims began emerging on April 10.  

Swalwell denied the accusations in a social media post two days later while announcing his resignation from the gubernatorial race. ‘I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,’ he wrote. 

The first allegation against Swalwell was aired by a former employee of Swalwell’s who spoke anonymously with the San Francisco Chronicle on April 10.

Three women have spoken on the record about their alleged experiences with Swalwell, including Lonna Drewes (pictured above), Ally Sammarco, and Annika Albrecht 

Three women have spoken on the record about their alleged experiences with Swalwell, including Ally Sammarco and Annika Albrecht, who are pictured left and center

She said the Democratic Congressman sexually assaulted her in 2019, when he was her boss, and again in 2024. 

The alleged victim said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex in both cases and did not go to police at the time because she was afraid she would not be believed.

Since the Chronicle story was published, at least four more women have made claims against the politician, accusing him of rape, sexual assault, and sending unsolicited messages and photographs.

Three women have spoken on the record about their alleged experiences with Swalwell, including Lonna Drewes, Ally Sammarco, and Annika Albrecht.  

Drewes, of California, told a news conference she believes Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018 after the opening of a restaurant. 

She alleged that Swalwell choked her during the assault. ‘While he was choking me, I lost consciousness. I thought I died,’ she said. 

Social media influencer Sammarco said she received unsolicited nude photographs from Swalwell on Snapchat after initially reaching out to him on X to discuss politics. 

Attorney Sara Azari released a statement on Eric Swalwell’s behalf saying he ‘categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him’

Albrecht said Swalwell also sent her ‘sexually inappropriate’ messages on Snapchat.  

‘For me, justice won’t be until he can’t ever harm a woman ever again, and he has faced the consequences for the women that he has harmed,’ she told CBS News. 

Swalwell has maintained that the allegations are false. He said it would be unfair to his constituents if he remained in Congress while he is distracted from his duties.

Attorney Sara Azari released a statement on Swalwell’s behalf saying he ‘categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him.’

Swalwell has been married to Brittany Watts, a sales director at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, since October 2016, and they share three children together.  

The Daily Mail has contacted Azari and the Swalwell campaign about donor requests for refunds.  

In a remarkable act of courage, a Tennessee police officer is being commended for his heroic actions after he rushed into a burning home to save a mother and her two children. This life-saving incident occurred earlier this month and has brought well-deserved recognition to the officer’s bravery.

The Chattanooga Police Department reported that Officer Rogers was the first to arrive at the scene on May 1. He managed to reach the dangerously blazing house before the firefighters could get there. Witnessing the unfolding emergency, Rogers did not hesitate to step into action.

On his arrival, Officer Rogers was confronted with a daunting sight: a two-story house with visible flames licking at the front door, as well as the exterior and interior walls of the upper floor. The fire had already begun to spread into the attic, presenting a dire situation.

Firefighters from the Chattanooga Fire Department eventually arrived and worked diligently to extinguish the blaze. Their efforts were crucial in controlling the fire that had taken hold of the residence. However, it was the quick thinking and bravery of Officer Rogers that made an immediate impact in saving lives.

Upon being informed by neighbors that there were still individuals trapped inside, Rogers acted swiftly. He courageously entered the hazardous environment to rescue the woman and her two children. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, he even returned with a fire extinguisher to tackle the flames consuming the front porch, further illustrating his dedication to duty and public safety.

“Luckily, no injuries were reported,” the department said in a Facebook post featuring bodycam footage. The department noted that while its officers are not trained in firefighting, they are “proud to have exemplary officers like [Rogers]” and thanked him for his dedication to the community.

Bodycam footage from the Chattanooga Police Department shows an officers rescuing a mother and two children from an apartment fire. (Chattanooga Police Department)

According to WTVC, Rogers carried 4-year-old Marlowe to safety while her mother, Rachel Blaylock, followed with her 10-year-old son, Charles.

“I keep thinking back: ‘How was I going to get two kids down the stairs?’” Blaylock told WTVC. “He just grabs [Marlowe], and he was willing to go back in. I was trying to tell him that no one else was there, but he was already going back up.”

An officer with the Chattanooga Police Department is seen trying to extinguish flames during a house fire. (Chattanooga Police Department)

The Chattanooga Fire Department confirmed the blaze was knocked down within 20 minutes and that the Red Cross is now assisting the residents. An online fundraiser noted that the Blaylock home was destroyed and the family lost all of their belongings.

<!–>

The tragic demise of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman, Kevin Johnson, has been unveiled with chilling details. Earlier this year, Johnson was brutally killed within a homeless encampment, a revelation that has shocked many.

A report from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, disclosed to The California Post on Wednesday, painted a grim picture of Johnson’s final moments. It detailed that Johnson endured skull fractures, brain contusions, and sustained “a total of five sharp force wounds” to his neck in the violent attack, which took place on January 21 near an LA riverbed.

The report further disclosed the presence of substances in Johnson’s system at the time of his death, identifying traces of phencyclidine, commonly known as angel dust, along with methamphetamine.

Authorities responded to the scene around 8 a.m. after one of Johnson’s friends discovered him unresponsive, lying face down and partially concealed beneath a tarp and other debris. The discovery set off a chain of events that led to the investigation of this grisly crime.

In close proximity to Johnson’s body, investigators found a bloodstained shovel, a crutch, and a broken broomstick, indicating a possible struggle. Additionally, they noted the presence of a cut tree and a “rock/brick” smeared with apparent blood, pointing to the brutal nature of the incident.

Johnson, the report states, had multiple fatal blunt injuries, including brain fragmentation and “severe” intracerebral hemorrhaging. He also suffered a fatal injury to his left carotid artery.

The medical examiner officially ruled the manner of his death a homicide.

According to the report, Johnson’s family members informed investigators that Johnson was “an ex-NFL player but had been living a homeless lifestyle.”

“He had a history of illicit drug use (methamphetamines),” authorities added in the report, “and was using a catheter bag. He was not in the best health but could get around slowly with the assistance of crutches.”

Johnson, who played three season in the NFL in the 1990s, was 55 years old.

In March, cops revealed they were investigating whether Johnson’s death was connected to three separate murders of homeless people living in Los Angeles’ Compton Creek, although on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told The Post they had no updates on the matter.