The wedding between billionaire Stephen Cloobeck and the Penthouse Pet accused of shaking down rich old men for money took a dramatic turn when she pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday.
Adva Lavie stood in front of Judge Diego Edber as he explained the rules of her electronic monitoring, including not being able to leave California without permission and stripping away her passport.
Adva Lavie (right) arrives at a Los Angeles courthouse. Frederick M. Brown for California Post
Adva Lavie is accused of using dating apps to connect with rich men and steal from them. Frederick M. Brown for California PostTheir ceremony is set to take place on June 18 near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Cloobeck told The Post via a text message.
The ruling puts the destination wedding in jeopardy. When Lavie was asked by the California Post if she was still planning on going to Jerusalem for the wedding, she looked up at the sky and kept silent.
The Post obtained Cloobeck and Lavie’s wedding “save the date” announcement. Courtesy of Stephen CloobeckThe model was also tight-lipped about Cloobeck’s whereabouts and if they were indeed still getting married on June 18. Her only words outside court were: “I just can’t wait for this nightmare to be over with.”
Cloobeck has burned more than $1 million on US Rep. Eric Swalwell’s run for California governor.
The Penthouse Pet, swarmed by lawyers, showed up in a green ALO sweat suit with a green handbag and tennis shoes.
Frederick M. Brown for California Post
Lavie on the red carpet. Getty ImagesWhen she reached the courtroom, she was seen grabbing at her electronic ankle monitor. The hearing got off to a chaotic start, with three trips by lawyers from both sides to a closed-door discussion in the judge’s chambers.
After the parties emerged, the judge said Lavie had pleaded not guilty to all charges. It was also announced that attorney Jeremy Lessim had joined her legal team.
Lessim was lead attorney for rap mogul Suge Knight during his high-profile 2016 murder trial. Lavie’s legal team is being funded by Cloobeck, The Post learned.
When asked why another lawyer was added to the team, one of Lavie’s original attorneys, Jeff Rubenstein, replied, “It takes a village.”
Getty Images for TEATRO LiveWhen asked why Cloobeck wasn’t in court, Rubenstein said, “You’d have to ask him that.”
Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2025, Lavie used dating apps to cultivate relationships with wealthy older men and younger women across Los Angeles County, including in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.
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The alleged honey trapper is charged with six felonies, including two counts of grand theft, two counts of burglary and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information.
Prosecutors had asked that Lavie’s GPS monitoring be updated to alert authorities to restrictions. Lessim argued that she was “not a flight risk” and that there was “no evidence that she is trying to flee.”
Lavie arrives at court with attorney Jeffrey Rubenstein. Frederick M. Brown for California PostHe added, “She’s taken responsibility.” The judge made it clear that if Lavie did leave California, she would need to provide ample notice. He also said she should remain in a treatment program.
Her trial will begin May 18.
