Eccentric billionaire Stephen Cloobeck’s friends tried to warn him to break off the relationship with his fiancée long before he was arrested on suspicion ofwitness tampering and threatsinvolving her criminal case, the California Post has learned.
“A lot of the people who were involved in his life tried to help and he didn’t want the help, and they’ve chosen to walk away because it’s too toxic,” a source with knowledge of the situation told The Post.
The source branded Lavie a “master manipulator.”
“She basically made him believe she was a victim, even though it’s very proven she’s not a victim.”
The warnings came long beforeCloobeck turned himself inTuesday after prosecutors accused him of trying to intimidate or silence alleged victims and attorneys connected tothe criminal case against his fiancée, Adva Lavie, who’s also gone by the aliases Shoshana and Mia Ventura.
Cloobeck, 64, now faces multiple felony charges after Los Angeles prosecutors alleged he attempted to dissuade witnesses from testifying in the pending criminal case against Lavie, who prosecutors say preyed on wealthy older men she met through dating apps.
Cloobeck allegedly threatened or pressured multiple alleged victims — including businessman Michael Craine, Scott Thurman and Mike Farag — as well as attorney Lou Shapiro, who represents one of the men. Prosecutors allege some of the conduct involved implied threats of force and violence.
Cloobeck has denied wrongdoing.
“These charges are false, and we look forward to our day in court,” a spokesperson for Cloobeck told The Post.
Cloobeck’s arrest stunned many in Los Angeles political and social circles, where Cloobeck had become known for lavish parties athis sprawling Beverly Hills mansion— a property he previously boasted had been expanded to roughly 30,000 square feet.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
