Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress best known for playing Wonder Woman, has been arrested by federal authorities for her alleged involvement in an illegal gambling and money laundering scheme, according to a grand jury indictment unsealed on Thursday.

A High-Stakes Operation

Gadot, 38, is one of four Los Angeles-area men who have been charged with operating an illegal video gambling business, conspiring to launder money, and aiding and abetting the transmission of wagering information. The other defendants are Gal Yafrich, 37, a professional poker player and World Series of Poker bracelet winner; David Dahan, 40, a real estate agent; and Eran Buhbut, 34, a businessman.

According to the indictment, the defendants ran a sophisticated and lucrative gambling operation that used video gambling machines, online platforms, and offshore accounts to generate millions of dollars in illegal profits.

The defendants allegedly installed video gambling machines in various locations, such as gas stations, convenience stores, and bars, and collected a percentage of the revenue from the machines. They also allegedly used online gambling websites to accept bets from customers, and transferred money to and from offshore accounts to conceal the source and nature of the funds.

The indictment alleges that Gadot was a key player in the scheme, as she used her celebrity status and connections to recruit and retain customers, and to facilitate the movement of money.

Gadot allegedly received a commission for every customer she referred to the gambling operation, and also participated in the gambling activities herself. The indictment claims that Gadot used various methods to launder the money, such as cash transactions, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, and shell companies.

A Shocking Fall from Grace

Gadot’s arrest comes as a shock to her fans and the entertainment industry, as she has been widely regarded as a role model and a humanitarian. Gadot rose to fame as the star of the Wonder Woman franchise, which has grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide.

She has also appeared in other blockbuster films, such as the Fast and Furious series, Red Notice, and Death on the Nile. She has been praised for her portrayal of a strong and inspiring female superhero, and for her advocacy for women’s rights, environmental causes, and peace in the Middle East.

However, Gadot has also faced some controversy and criticism in the past, especially for her views and actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gadot, who served in the Israeli Defense Forces for two years, has expressed her support for Israel and its military actions, which has drawn backlash from some pro-Palestinian activists and groups.

She has also been accused of introducing her roommate to her rapist, and then demanding the victim to apologize, in a blog post by a journalist in 2017. Gadot has denied the allegation and threatened to sue the journalist for defamation.

A Uncertain Future

Gadot’s arrest puts her career and reputation in jeopardy, as she faces serious criminal charges that could result in prison time and hefty fines. She has not commented publicly on the charges, but her lawyer has issued a statement saying that she is innocent and will fight the charges vigorously.

She has also been dropped by several sponsors and partners, such as Revlon, Reebok, and Smartwater, who have distanced themselves from the scandal. Her upcoming projects, such as Wonder Woman 3 and Cleopatra, have also been put on hold or cancelled, pending the outcome of the case.

Conclusion

Gal Gadot, one of the most famous and successful actresses in Hollywood, has been arrested for her alleged involvement in an illegal gambling and money laundering scheme. She is accused of using her celebrity status and connections to recruit and retain customers, and to facilitate the movement of money, for a sophisticated and lucrative gambling operation that used video gambling machines, online platforms, and offshore accounts.

She has denied the charges and vowed to clear her name, but she faces serious consequences for her career and reputation, as she has lost several sponsors and partners, and her upcoming projects have been put on hold or cancelled. Her arrest is a shocking fall from grace for a star who has been widely regarded as a role model and a humanitarian.