Stephen Cloobeck pleads not guilty to witness‑tampering charges in model’s theft case

Billionaire Stephen J. Cloobeck, a former California gubernatorial candidate and founder of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts, entered a plea of not guilty to felony witness‑tampering charges in Los Angeles Superior Court. The charges – three felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness and one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls – stem from the criminal case of his former fiancée, OnlyFans model Adva Lavie, who is accused of burglarizing wealthy men she met through dating apps.

Prosecutors allege Cloobeck threatened two alleged victims, Michael Craine and Scott Thurman, to prevent them from testifying about Lavie's thefts. He was arrested in May, released on a $300,000 bond, and his next hearing is scheduled for October. The arraignment took place at the Van Nuys Courthouse on August 7, 2026, and Cloobeck was represented by a legal team that previously defended high‑profile clients.

Lavie, also charged with multiple felonies, has pleaded not guilty and faces additional theft charges. The case highlights the intersection of high‑net‑worth individuals, political connections, and alleged criminal activity in the Los Angeles area.