Adva Lavie Pleads Not Guilty, Wedding to Billionaire at Risk

On April 6, 2026, a Los Angeles courtroom became the unlikely stage for one of the most dramatic celebrity legal stories of the year. Adva Lavie, the Israeli-born Penthouse Pet model and fiancée of billionaire businessman Stephen Cloobeck, entered a not guilty plea to six felony charges — a development that immediately cast a shadow over what was supposed to be the wedding of the season. With her passport confiscated and an electronic monitoring bracelet on her ankle, Lavie now faces a race against time to salvage her planned June 18 destination wedding near Jerusalem's Western Wall.

The case has exploded across entertainment and true crime circles alike, blending elements of alleged high-society grift, billionaire romance, and a jaw-dropping haul of cash and luxury goods found inside her Los Angeles apartment. Here's everything you need to know.

The Not Guilty Plea That Put a Wedding in Jeopardy

Lavie appeared before Judge Diego Edber on April 6, 2026, pleading not guilty to six felony charges: two counts of grand theft, two counts of burglary, and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. The court imposed electronic monitoring conditions and, critically, confiscated her passport — leaving her legally barred from leaving the state of California without explicit court permission.

That restriction strikes at the heart of her personal life. Lavie and her billionaire fiancé Stephen Cloobeck had been planning a lavish destination wedding scheduled for June 18, 2026, near the Western Wall in Jerusalem — one of the most sacred and iconic locations in the world. That dream now hangs by a thread.

Speaking briefly outside court, Lavie offered only one statement to waiting media: "I just can't wait for this nightmare to be over with."

For full coverage of the courtroom drama, see the New York Post's breaking report on the plea and its impact on the planned wedding.

What Police Found Inside Lavie's Los Angeles Apartment

The scope of the alleged criminal activity came into sharper focus on April 5, 2026, when details emerged from a May 2025 police raid on Lavie's Holt Avenue apartment in Los Angeles. What investigators found there painted a striking picture.

According to prosecutors, the raid — conducted with a search warrant — uncovered:

• Over $200,000 in cash
• Multiple gold coins and gold bars
• A firearm
• At least 40 items of allegedly stolen clothing
• More than 20 pairs of shoes allegedly taken from victims

The sheer volume of luxury goods seized raised immediate questions about the alleged scheme's scale. Prosecutors contend Lavie systematically targeted wealthy men and women, cultivating intimate relationships before allegedly stealing cash, credit cards, and high-end items. For a detailed breakdown of the apartment haul and alleged victim messages, AOL News has an in-depth report on the recovered items.

The Alleged Scheme: Dating Apps, Aliases, and Alleged Extortion

Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2025, Lavie used dating apps as her primary tool to cultivate relationships with wealthy older men and younger women throughout Los Angeles County. The alleged pattern involved building romantic or social trust before exploiting financial access.

Among the named alleged victims:

• Michael Craine, an 80-year-old Beverly Hills resident, testified that approximately $100,000 worth of clothes and handbags went missing after his association with Lavie — including his daughter Elizabeth Craine's wedding dress, a detail that drew particular media attention.
• Alireza Salehpour allegedly refused to pay a $50 Uber fare Lavie requested. His response? He was reportedly publicly shamed on her Instagram with the cutting four-word message: "ugly, cheap, or broke."
• Scott Thurman said he discovered fraudulent charges on his credit cards. When he threatened legal action against Lavie, prosecutors allege she countered by accusing him of sexual assault.

Lavie allegedly also used the alias 'Mia Ventura' and is accused of stealing credit cards and $500 in cash from a woman at a Las Vegas podcast event on election night 2025 — a brazen alleged crime in a very public setting.

The MSN crime report on the $200K cash hoard provides further context on how the alleged scheme operated across multiple victims.

Stephen Cloobeck: The Billionaire Standing by His Fiancée

Stephen Cloobeck is not a peripheral figure in this story. The founder of Diamond Resorts International and a prominent Democratic donor has reportedly committed over $1 million in support to US Representative Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor — signaling the level of political and financial circles in which he operates.

Now, Cloobeck is reportedly funding Lavie's legal defense team. Her attorneys include Jeremy Lessim, a high-profile criminal defense lawyer who served as lead counsel for rap mogul Suge Knight during his 2016 murder trial. The choice of Lessim signals Lavie's legal team is preparing for an aggressive defense strategy.

Cloobeck's public loyalty to Lavie — despite the severity and breadth of the charges — has added another layer of fascination to a case already overflowing with dramatic details. Whether his financial support can translate into a favorable legal outcome, and whether the couple can find a path to their Jerusalem wedding, remains to be seen.

Who Is Adva Lavie? Background and Rise to Notoriety

Before her arrest made headlines, Adva Lavie was primarily known in modeling circles as a Penthouse Pet — the adult magazine's designation for its featured models. Israeli-born, she built a social media presence in Los Angeles and moved in circles that included wealthy businessmen and entertainment figures.

Her relationship with Stephen Cloobeck, a man with deep pockets and political connections, thrust her into a more mainstream spotlight. Their planned wedding near the Western Wall in Jerusalem was framed as a fairy-tale union — a model marrying a billionaire in one of the most historically significant locations on earth.

The criminal case against her represents an extraordinary reversal of fortune. Prosecutors paint a picture of a woman who allegedly weaponized charm, beauty, and dating app algorithms to run a calculated financial scheme across Los Angeles and beyond. Her defense team, meanwhile, will argue for her innocence on all six felony counts.

What Happens Next: Legal Timeline and Wedding Uncertainty

With the not guilty plea entered and Judge Diego Edber overseeing the case, the legal proceedings will now move toward pre-trial hearings and, potentially, a full trial. Key factors to watch include:

• Whether Lavie's legal team can secure court permission for her to travel to Israel for the June 18 wedding — a highly unusual request given the nature of the charges and the passport confiscation.
• The strength of the prosecution's evidence, including the $200,000 cash haul, gold, and alleged stolen goods found in her apartment.
• Testimony from multiple named alleged victims, including the emotionally charged account involving a stolen wedding dress.
• Whether additional charges or alleged victims emerge as the discovery process unfolds.

The June 18 wedding deadline creates an unusual real-world pressure on legal proceedings that typically move slowly. If the court does not grant travel permission — which would be extraordinary given the passport seizure and electronic monitoring — the Western Wall ceremony appears impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adva Lavie

What charges is Adva Lavie facing?

Lavie pleaded not guilty to six felony charges: two counts of grand theft, two counts of burglary, and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. She entered her plea on April 6, 2026, before Judge Diego Edber in Los Angeles.

Can Adva Lavie still get married in Jerusalem?

As of her April 6, 2026 court appearance, Lavie is subject to electronic monitoring, her passport has been confiscated, and she is barred from leaving California without court approval. Her wedding to Stephen Cloobeck is planned for June 18, 2026, near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, making the ceremony currently in significant jeopardy unless a court grants her special permission to travel internationally.

Who is Stephen Cloobeck?

Stephen Cloobeck is the founder of Diamond Resorts International and a prominent billionaire businessman. He is a major Democratic political donor, having reportedly contributed over $1 million to US Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor. He is currently engaged to Adva Lavie and is reportedly funding her legal defense.

What was found in Adva Lavie's apartment?

A police raid on her Holt Avenue apartment in Los Angeles in May 2025 uncovered more than $200,000 in cash, multiple gold coins and bars, a firearm, at least 40 items of allegedly stolen clothing, and more than 20 pairs of shoes. Prosecutors allege these items were obtained through a pattern of theft and fraud targeting wealthy individuals.

Who is representing Adva Lavie in court?

Her legal team includes attorney Jeremy Lessim, who is best known for serving as lead counsel for rap industry figure Suge Knight during his 2016 murder trial. Cloobeck is reportedly funding her defense.

Conclusion

The Adva Lavie case is one of the most compelling stories at the intersection of celebrity, crime, and high society to emerge in 2026. A Penthouse Pet model faces six felony charges while an ankle monitor ticks away the days toward what was meant to be a dream wedding near one of the world's most sacred landmarks. A billionaire stands loyally by her side, bankrolling a high-powered legal defense. Alleged victims include an 80-year-old man whose daughter's wedding dress was stolen and a woman publicly shamed on social media for a $50 Uber fare.

Whether Lavie is ultimately convicted or vindicated, the case has already exposed a remarkable story of wealth, alleged manipulation, and the collision between a glamorous public image and serious criminal accusations. The coming months — including whether a Jerusalem wedding ever happens — will be closely watched by millions.