Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck seen for first time since calling off engagement to ‘Penthouse Pet’

Nypost · Aug 07, 2026 · 625 words · By Jeremy Louwerse

Legal Proceedings Character Assassination High-Society Scandal

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What to know about Legal Proceedings

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck seen for first time since calling off engagement to ‘Penthouse Pet’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 19

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center67%

Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck seen for first time since calling off engagement to ‘Penthouse Pet’ See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Add The California Post on Google Newly single billionaire Stephen Cloobeck may have ended his relationship with accused kleptomaniac Adva Lavie, but his court case involving her is very much still happening.

Common ground

Cloobeck, a former supporter and friend of Eric Swalwell, appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Friday morning for his arraignment on witness tampering charges.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Guilt by Association: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Legal Proceedings story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Advie... was arrested on six felonies in March after being tied to a slew of burglaries throughout Los Angeles County?
How does this story connect Legal Proceedings with Character Assassination over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cloobeck-arraigned-on-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 95% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 85% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Guilt by Association 70% confidence

Discrediting an idea by linking it to a disliked group or person.

Why it matters: Recognizing guilt by association helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 19 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 9

check_circle Corroborated 7

help Insufficient Evidence 2

info Single Source 1

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Claim 1: “Advie... was arrested on six felonies in March after being tied to a slew of burglaries throughout Los Angeles County”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Adva Lavie was arrested on six felony charges in March related to burglaries in Los Angeles County.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Eli Lilly and Company, doing business as Lilly, is an American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with offices in 18 countries. Its products are sold in appro…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Lilly_and_Company

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Mizrahi Jews (Hebrew: יהודי המִזְרָח), also known as Mizrahim (מִזְרָחִים) in plural and Mizrahi (מִזְרָחִי) in singular, and alternatively referred to as Oriental Jews or Edot HaMizrach (עֵדוֹת־הַמִּ…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizrahi_Jews

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Stephen J. Cloobeck (born October 26, 1961) is an American businessman and the founder, former chairman, and chief executive officer of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts. In 2025 he briefly ran a …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cloobeck

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “Lavie claims she was sexually abused, used illicit drugs, and was a paid escort in Las Vegas in a motion filed by her lawyers including high profile Jeremy Lessem”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 3: “He allegedly did the same to another alleged Lavie victim, Scott Thurman, between February and March.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results specifically mention that Cloobeck allegedly did the same (witness tampering) to another victim, Scott Thurman, between February and March.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of notable non-political figures and organizations that endorsed the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kamala_Harris_2024_pre…

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web search NEUTRAL — Stephen J. Cloobeck is an American businessman and the founder, former chairman, and chief executive officer of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts. In 2025 he briefly ran a campaign for governor of…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cloobeck

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — He allegedly did the same to another alleged Lavie victim, Scott Thurman, between February and March. Stephen J. Cloobeck, Democratic candidate for California governor in 2026, smiles at the camera.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

+ 1 more evidence source

info

Claim 4: “The billionaire allegedly tried to prevent Michael Craine... from testifying at a trial with force and an “express and implied threat of force and violence upon a victim,” in early December of last year”

SINGLE SOURCE

While the general charges of witness tampering are corroborated, the specific detail regarding Michael Craine and the 'express and implied threat of force' in December is not explicitly detailed in the provided corroborating evidence snippets, though it aligns with the general charges.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Many surnames are derived from the first name, including Stephens, Stevens, Stephenson, and Stevenson, all of which mean "Stephen's (son)". In modern times the name has sometimes been given with inten…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen

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web search NEUTRAL — Aug 12, 2026 · What Does Stephen Mean? Stephen means crown or wreath, and the Greek behind it is more specific than either English word suggests: stephanos was the crown of victory, the garland awarde…
https://momlovesbest.com/stephen-name-meaning

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web search NEUTRAL — Stephen William Hawking (8 January 1942 – 14 March 2018) was an English theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and author who was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_hawking

schedule

Claim 5: “Lavie had her bail revoked after the second arrest... because she wasn’t wearing her GPS monitoring ankle bracelet.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 6: “Cloobeck pled not guilty to all charges against him”

CORROBORATED

Three independent sources confirm that Cloobeck pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Stephen Cloobeck pleads not guilty to felony witness intimidation charges in Los Angeles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqataZAyxTU

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web search NEUTRAL — Cloobeck, 64, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness by force or threat, one felony count of preventing or dissuading a witness from attending or testif…
https://www.foxla.com/news/stephen-cloobeck-witness-tamperin…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Cloobeck pled not guilty to all charges against him in a short arraignment before he left. Cloobeck is charged with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade or prevent a witness or victim from te…
https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

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Claim 7: “She was caught leaving the county and obtaining an Israeli passport, both violations.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 8: “they were engaged in Las Vegas in front of a star studded ballroom at a charity fundraiser.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding the engagement taking place in a star-studded ballroom at a charity fundraiser in Las Vegas.

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Claim 9: “Cloobeck is charged with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade or prevent a witness or victim from testifying, and one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including a report citing the LA County District Attorney's Office, confirm the specific charges: three felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness and one misdemeanor count of making annoying telephone calls.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Cloobeck in April with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade a witness and one misdemeanor count of making "annoying telephone calls,"…
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-area-billionaire…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Cloobeck is charged with three felony counts of attempting to dissuade or prevent a witness or victim from testifying, and one misdemeanor count of making annoying phone calls.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

travel_explore

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Claim 10: “Adva Lavie... is accused of using dating apps to steal from rich older men.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources describe Adva Lavie as a model/influencer accused of stealing from wealthy older men she met on dating apps.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — ADVA Optical Networking SE was a German telecommunications company specialized in network equipment for data, storage, voice and video services, [1] was founded in 1994 by Brian Protiva.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADVA_Optical_Networking

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The combined ADVA and Adtran team is helping to make networks simple. Simple to scale and simple to operate. Our data-driven networking solutions have been specifically engineered to help you maximize…
https://www.adtran-networks.com/en

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web search NEUTRAL — Jul 30, 2026 · LA influencer arrested for stealing Rolexes, Louis Vuitton while out on bail for similar crimes A victim who reported Adva Lavie for the alleged theft in Riverside County described his …
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/adva-lavie-indio-th…

help

Claim 11: “Lavie was arrested again last week in Beverly Hills”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results confirming a second arrest of Adva Lavie specifically in Beverly Hills 'last week'.

schedule

Claim 12: “Judge Diego Edber ruled that she could remain out on bail.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 13: “Swallwell was staying with Cloobeck before the billionaire said he asked Swallwell to leave.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “Cloobeck was a major donor for disgraced Congressman Eric Swallwell”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 15: “The time share billionaire and the model were scheduled to get married June 18th in Jerusalem”

CORROBORATED

The claim is confirmed by a cross-reference (Nypost) and multiple other web sources stating they were scheduled to marry on June 18th in Jerusalem.

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travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Newly single billionaire Stephen Cloobeck may have ended his relationship with accused kleptomaniac Adva Lavie, but his court case involving her is very much still happening.
https://nypost.com/2026/08/07/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Lavie was originally going to marry billionaire Cloobeck on June 18th in Jerusalem. The judge did not raise bail, but place additional restrictions on Lavie’s movement — ordering her to stay away from…
https://dnyuz.com/2026/05/18/stephen-cloobecks-penthouse-pet…

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 16: “Surveillance cameras caught her taking items from a Tesla including a Rolex and other luxury goods.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 17: “Lavie was charged for stealing luxury items from an Airbnb during the Coachella music festival in 2025.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 18: “Stephen Cloobeck appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Friday morning for his arraignment on witness tampering charges.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources confirm Stephen Cloobeck appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday, August 7, 2026, for his arraignment on felony witness tampering charges.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An election will be held in the U.S. state of California on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of California. The statewide top-two primary election was held on June 2, 2026, with Democrat X…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_California_gubernatorial_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Johnny Chad Bianco (born October 9, 1967) is an American law enforcement officer who has served as the sheriff of Riverside County, California, since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Bianco has…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Bianco

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 19: “The billionaire faces 10 years behind bars if convicted on all charges. Lavie faces 11 years.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.