URGENT UPDATE: Federal authorities have charged alleged Israeli mobster Assaf “Ace” Waknine with extortion linked to high-stakes poker games in Los Angeles. New reports confirm that Waknine, who has been living in Mexico since his deportation from the U.S. in 2011, is accused of using threats and violence to demand substantial “protection” fees from poker game hosts.
According to an affidavit filed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent Matthew Hernandez, Waknine attempted to blackmail a poker game host by referencing the murder of Emil Lahaziel, who was killed in May 2023 during a private poker game in Hollywood Hills. The stakes are incredibly high—games reportedly have buy-ins starting at $20,000, with players losing or winning millions in a single night.
Waknine allegedly demanded $5,000 per game in “protection” fees. In chilling text messages, he threatened the host, saying, “I guess you really want to end up like your other b**** a** poker buddy.” The host, who has not been named, refused to pay, leading to Waknine’s aggressive response: “F*** your meeting,” he wrote in a text after the victim hung up on him.
The poker games, which became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, attract a mix of A-list celebrities, wealthy entrepreneurs, and professional players. The host reportedly profits by taxing 50% of the staff’s tips, earning upwards of $100,000 a night, according to the affidavit.
However, the glamorous facade of these games has been shattered by violence. In May 2023, a Beverly Hills home hosting a poker game was set ablaze, with a Bently SUV torched just days later. This string of arsons culminated in the fatal shooting of Lahaziel, an Israeli native with ties to Waknine. Lahaziel, who had been sending threatening messages to the Waknine brothers prior to his death, was shot multiple times outside a game venue.
Waknine’s brother, Hai Waknine, remains uncharged in the ongoing investigation, but both brothers have a history of connections to organized crime, including ties to the Mexican Mafia and various gangs in Southern California. Ricardo Corral and Jose Martinez Sanchez, both charged as accomplices in Lahaziel’s murder, have pleaded not guilty.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of Waknine’s charges extend beyond the poker tables into the streets of Los Angeles. The host targeted in the extortion scheme has since canceled all poker games, expressing concerns over safety, stating, “I just don’t want to deal with that s***.”
This developing story highlights the dangerous intersection of high-stakes gambling and organized crime in Los Angeles. The public will be watching closely as authorities continue to unravel this case.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as federal officials work to bring those involved to justice.
