• Affidavit outlines threats in Los Angeles’ underground poker circuit
• Israeli national accused of extortion, not direct violent crimes
• Hollywood Hills murder adds fear to L.A.’s poker elite

 Federal prosecutors say an alleged Israeli organized-crime figure tried to muscle into L.A.’ high-stakes private poker scene with threats and “protection” demands.

Assaf “Ace” Waknine, above, faces a charge of transmitting threatening communications linked to alleged extortion in Los Angeles’ high-stakes poker scene. (Image: US DOJ)

A newly filed affidavit accuses Assaf “Ace” Waknine, 52, of transmitting threatening communications in interstate and foreign commerce in connection with his alleged threats to the host of a big-money game.

One threat referenced a man who had been shot dead in an apparently targeted killing at an earlier game in the Hollywood Hills.

Waknine is not currently in custody. The Israeli national, who has convictions for assault, burglary and forgery, was deported from the U.S. in 2011 and is believed to be living in Mexico. His attorney, Brett Greenfield, told The L.A. Times his client denies making threats or extorting anyone.

Hollywood Home Games

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, exclusive private poker games flourished in L.A. and Beverly Hills. These games attracted celebrities, wealthy entrepreneurs, and professional gamblers, according to prosecutors, with buy-ins starting at around $20K. Hosts could make $100K a night from tips and rake, the affidavit states.

They were luxurious affairs, with dealers, DJs, bartenders, cocktail waitresses, chefs, and security – and prosecutors say Waknine and his brother, Hai Waknine – once described as a henchman for Israel’s Abergil crime family – wanted a piece.

Waknine is not accused of participating in any of these incidents, but he did leverage Lahaziel’s death to put the frighteners on the host he was trying to extort.

“I guess you really want to end up like your other bitch-ass poker buddy,” Waknine wrote in a text message after being rebuffed by the host, according to the affidavit.

Who Was Emil Lahaziel?

Lahaziel had relocated to L.A. from Florida not long before his death. According to a federal affidavit, he had heavy debts and connections to criminal circles that included the Waknine brothers. Divorce records cited by The Times show that Lahaziel once warned his wife that people wanted to kill him “because of some of the activities he did out of the country.”

In Israel, he had declared bankruptcy, reporting more than $1.5 million in liabilities, even as he posted images of private jets and high-end cars on Instagram.

Two gang members, Ricardo Corral and Jose Martinez Sanchez, have since been charged with his murder. Investigators linked the two to a stolen Dodge truck captured on surveillance footage near the scene and corroborated by phone records and witness statements, court filings show. Both men have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

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