UPDATE: A federal court complaint reveals that Israeli crime figure Assaf “Ace” Waknine has been charged with threatening a prominent Los Angeles poker host, igniting concerns about the city’s high-stakes gambling scene. This urgent development showcases the dark underbelly of what was once a glamorous pastime.
Law enforcement officials allege that the 52-year-old Waknine attempted to extort $5,000 in “protection money” from the host of exclusive poker games in Los Angeles, using chilling threats linked to a recent murder. Investigators claim Waknine’s threats included ominous messages referencing the 2023 murder of Emil Lahaziel, a fellow poker player. One warning stated that the host could “end up like” Lahaziel, who was tragically shot dead outside a game two years ago.
The criminal complaint, filed by Special Agent Matthew Hernandez of Homeland Security, details how Waknine, a convicted felon deported from the U.S. in 2011, continues to exert influence over the L.A. poker scene while residing in Mexico. Authorities believe he leverages his violent reputation and connections to local gangs to intimidate participants in the underground gambling world.
As the popularity of high-stakes private poker games surged during and after the pandemic, these events—often held in upscale locations like Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills—attracted celebrities and wealthy entrepreneurs. Entry fees typically start at $20,000, with potential profits reaching six figures, making them appealing targets for organized crime.
Prosecutors contend that when the poker organizer refused to pay the demanded protection money, Waknine’s threats escalated. The complaint links these aggressive attempts to a series of violent incidents throughout 2023, including suspicious fires at properties associated with poker organizers and the torched remains of a Bentley in Benedict Canyon.
Waknine had communicated with Lahaziel in the months leading to his murder, with court documents suggesting tensions had escalated. Lahaziel, described as a financially struggling Israeli expat with mob connections, had sent angry messages to Waknine and his brother, Hai. Tragically, he was shot multiple times outside a rented home in Hollywood Hills. Two suspects, Ricardo Corral and Jose Martinez Sanchez, face charges in connection with Lahaziel’s death, both maintaining their innocence.
Waknine’s attorney, Brett Greenfield, has vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that his client “does not threaten or extort anyone.” Despite his ongoing fugitive status, this situation has sent shockwaves through L.A.’s high-stakes poker community, transforming it from an elite social gathering into a cautionary tale about the perils of underworld dealings.
As the investigation unfolds, the poker scene in Los Angeles is left reeling, with organizers and players now more wary than ever of the potential dangers lurking beneath the surface. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
