Stephen Cloobeck Arrested in Relation to Fiancée’s Case

Hospitality magnate and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck is facing felony charges after prosecutors accused him of threatening witnesses tied to his fiancée’s high-profile burglary case.

Cloobeck, founder of timeshare giant Diamond Resorts, was arrested Tuesday and booked in West Hollywood on suspicion of attempting to prevent witnesses from testifying, the Los Angeles Times reported. Cloobeck posted $300,000 bail hours after his arrest.

Authorities allege the 64-year-old tried to prevent three male victims from giving testimony in the criminal case involving his fiancée, model and influencer Adva Lavie, known on social media as “Mia Ventura.” Prosecutors said the acts were “committed by force and an express and implied threat of force and violence upon a victim.”

Lavie, 29, has been accused of using dating apps and aliases to gain access to victims’ homes across Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and other wealthy Los Angeles enclaves before allegedly stealing cash, luxury goods and personal information. Prosecutors say that between 2023 and 2025, she posed as a girlfriend or travel companion while targeting affluent men and women.

Lavie has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges, including burglary and grand theft. Elias Dabaie, an attorney for Cloobeck, denied any wrongdoing on his client’s behalf. “These charges are false and we look forward to our day in court,” Dabaie told the L.A. Times.

Cloobeck built Diamond Resorts into a multibillion-dollar company before selling it in 2016 for $2.2 billion. He mounted a short-lived campaign for California governor in this year’s election before dropping out in November and backing then-Congressman Eric Swalwell.

Real estate and hospitality helped bankroll Cloobeck’s political ambitions and public persona. The businessman cultivated relationships with top Democratic officials, appeared on “Undercover Boss” and became known as a prolific donor with a sprawling Beverly Hills estate lined with photos of political heavyweights.

The latest allegations revive scrutiny around Cloobeck’s personal life and prior legal battles. In 2021, he sued former girlfriend and OnlyFans model Stefanie Gurzanski, accusing her of fraud and extortion after a five-month relationship that allegedly included $1.3 million in gifts and luxury spending. Gurzanski denied the claims and later accused Cloobeck in court filings of harassment and intimidation.

Cloobeck is scheduled to be arraigned in relation to Lavie’s case on Aug. 7.

— Chris Malone Méndez