Money buys a lot of things in Southern California, but it rarely buys your way out of a high-profile witness tampering rap. Billionaire real estate developer and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck just entered a not-guilty plea to felony charges that read like a Hollywood script. If you've been trying to keep track of how a major political donor wound up tangled in a sprawling romance scam and burglary investigation, let's break down what's actually happening behind the headlines.
The Charges Against Stephen Cloobeck
Cloobeck, 64, stood before the court to formally answer to three felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness or victim from attending a proceeding by force or threat. Prosecutors claim he crossed major legal lines between last December and this February.
The state alleges he tried to lean on witnesses involved in a separate, high-stakes criminal case. On top of the felonies, he faces a misdemeanor charge for making annoying, threatening phone calls directed at Lou Shapiro, the defense attorney representing Cloobeck's fiancée. Investigators state those calls featured heavy profanity and direct threats toward the lawyer, his family, and his property.
His defense team remains defiant. Attorney Elias Dabaie dismissed the accusations outright, stating, "These charges are false and we look forward to our day in court." Cloobeck secured his release after posting a $300,000 bail.
The Core Controversy Involving Adva Lavie
You cannot understand Cloobeck's legal trouble without looking at the center of the storm: his fiancée, Adva Lavie. Lavie, who operates online under the persona Mia Ventura, faces severe felony counts of her own.
Law enforcement officials and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office accuse Lavie of running an elaborate scheme between 2023 and 2025. Investigators state she used social media dating apps to target affluent older men and younger women, posing as a romantic partner or travel companion to gain entry into upscale residences across West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Westlake Village. Once inside, she allegedly made off with heavy quantities of cash, gold, and designer luxury goods.
Lavie has also pleaded not guilty. If a jury convicts her on all counts, she faces up to eleven years and eight months behind bars.
Political Fallout and Shifting Alliances
Cloobeck is no stranger to the public eye. He poured massive amounts of personal wealth into a brief run for California governor as a Democrat before dropping out in November. After exiting that race, he hitched his wagon to former Representative Eric Swalwell, backing his political aspirations heavily.
That alliance imploded quickly. Swalwell later resigned and abandoned his ambitions following unrelated sexual misconduct allegations. Cloobeck publicly severed ties, stating he could no longer support him. Now, the former Diamond Resorts International CEO finds himself navigating his own criminal docket while media cameras track his every move outside the courthouse.
What Happens Next in the Legal Process
High-profile cases involving wealth, influencers, and alleged intimidation move slowly through the Los Angeles court system. Cloobeck's not-guilty plea officially sets the stage for a lengthy pretrial discovery phase. Prosecutors will have to prove every element of the witness-tampering allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, while defense attorneys poke holes in police timelines and call logs.
Keep an eye on upcoming motions. As both cases wind their way toward trial, the intersection of high-society romance scams and aggressive legal interference will continue to dominate local news cycles.
LA-area billionaire Stephen Cloobeck's arrest tied to model's romance scam case
This news broadcast provides an investigative breakdown of the arrest and the underlying romance scam allegations linking Stephen Cloobeck to the case against his fiancée.
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