Stephen Cloobeck, 64, the billionaire founder and former CEO of Diamond Resorts International and a former Democratic candidate for California governor, turned himself in at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station on May 12, 2026, on an outstanding felony warrant charging him with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade witnesses from testifying in the criminal case against his fiancee, Adva Lavie, 28, a Los Angeles model and social media personality also known online as Mia Ventura. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed the charges on April 28, 2026.
Cloobeck was released the same day after posting $300,000 bail. In one of the more striking courtroom dynamics in the case, Cloobeck retained David Hochman as his defense attorney — the brother of DA Nathan Hochman, whose office is prosecuting him. Lavie, charged in November 2025 with a string of burglaries targeting wealthy older men and younger women she met through dating apps, was ordered to stand trial in March 2026 on six felony counts after a judge dismissed two charges at the preliminary hearing. The couple got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2026 at a Las Vegas gala. Their planned June 2026 wedding in Jerusalem has been blocked by the terms of Lavie’s bail, which require her to remain in California and wear an ankle monitoring bracelet. Cloobeck’s attorney said the charges are false and the defendant looks forward to his day in court. This is a developing story.
Cloobeck Faces Three Felony Counts and One Misdemeanor for Contacting Lavie’s Alleged Victims
The criminal complaint includes two felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness or victim from attending a criminal proceeding by force or threat, one felony count of preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from testifying at a trial or proceeding, and one misdemeanor count of making annoying telephone calls, allegedly directed at an attorney representing one of Lavie’s alleged victims. Each felony count under California Penal Code Section 136.1 carries a potential sentence of years in state prison, with enhanced penalties where force or threat is alleged.
According to the complaint, Cloobeck allegedly contacted at least two of the people listed as witnesses in Lavie’s criminal case in an attempt to prevent them from testifying against her. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told ABC7: “The fact that you have multiple victims here who were allegedly contacted is helpful for the prosecution. That way, you’re not relying on just the testimony of one witness. And of course, if there are emails, there are text messages, there are direct messages, that’s even more helpful.”
Lavie Is Accused of Running a Multi-Year Romance Scheme Targeting Wealthy Men and Women Across LA
Adva Lavie was charged in November 2025 with two counts of grand theft, two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, one count of first-degree residential burglary, and one count of first-degree residential burglary with a person present. Prosecutors allege that from 2023 to 2025, Lavie used dating apps to cultivate relationships with wealthy older men and younger women in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, posing as a girlfriend or travel companion to gain access to victims’ homes and then stealing cash, gold, credit cards, and high-end designer items.
Lavie pleaded not guilty to all remaining charges. She was released on bail with an ankle monitoring bracelet and is barred from leaving California. A pretrial conference in her case is scheduled for May 18, 2026, in a Van Nuys courtroom. DA Nathan Hochman said in March: “At her trial, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this defendant exploited trust built through online relationships to gain access to victims’ homes and steal from them.” If convicted on all counts, Lavie faces a possible sentence of more than 11 years in state prison.
Cloobeck Dropped His Gubernatorial Run to Back Swalwell, Then Cut Ties After Sexual Assault Allegations
Cloobeck entered the race for California governor as a Democrat before withdrawing to endorse Congressman Eric Swalwell, contributing $39,200 directly to Swalwell’s campaign and $1 million through a super PAC. Swalwell was staying at Cloobeck’s Beverly Hills mansion when multiple sexual assault allegations emerged against the congressman, including one allegation that he drugged and sexually assaulted a former aide. Swalwell resigned from Congress in April 2026. Cloobeck moved quickly to cut ties. “I live in the world of integrity, morals, ethics. I want what’s best for California and I am disturbed, and I cannot support Eric Swalwell anymore,” he said, evicting Swalwell from his home and stating he may seek to recover the $1 million he contributed through the super PAC.
The DA’s Brother Is Defending Cloobeck Against Charges Filed by the DA’s Own Office
Among the more unusual dimensions of the case is that Cloobeck retained David Hochman as his defense attorney — the brother of Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, whose office filed the charges. It is reportedly unclear whether this will be the first time the Hochman brothers have faced each other in a courtroom. The case is being prosecuted by the DA’s office while the underlying investigation continues to be conducted jointly by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station and the LAPD in connection with the Adva Lavie probe. The DA’s office and the defense have declined to comment specifically on the fraternal dynamic.
Conclusion
Stephen Cloobeck built Diamond Resorts International into a timeshare empire worth billions, ran for California governor as a Democrat, donated heavily to Swalwell’s campaign, housed and then publicly denounced a disgraced congressman, and got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2026 in front of a Las Vegas crowd. Weeks after cutting ties with Swalwell over allegations of taking advantage of women, he turned himself in on a warrant charging him with trying to silence the women prepared to testify against his fiancee. The Jerusalem wedding is blocked. The Hochman brothers are on opposite sides of the courtroom. And Adva Lavie is due back before a Van Nuys judge on May 18. This is a developing story.
