Exclusive | Stephen Cloobeck accuser reveals shocking details of ‘vicious call’ that sparked arrest: ‘Bulldog bully’

Nypost · May 13, 2026 · 622 words · By Ross O'Keefe

Legal Proceedings Witness Intimidation Criminal Allegations

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What to know about Legal Proceedings

Stephen Cloobeck accuser reveals shocking details of ‘vicious call’ that sparked arrest: ‘Bulldog bully’ One of Stephen Cloobeck’s alleged victims has broken cover to open up about the allegedly threatening phone calls he received that sparked the…

Claims checked 10

Techniques found 2

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

Why it matters

Mike Farag, 70, who was allegedly pilfered by Cloobeck’s beau Adva Lavie when he invited her over to give her modeling advice, told The California Post about the conversation from January.

Common ground

He claimed he picked up the phone from an unknown number to an “aggressive” man who allegedly threatened legal action against him if he testified in the Penthouse Pet’s court case.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling: 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 Cloobeck has denied the charges against him?
How does this story connect Legal Proceedings with Witness Intimidation over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/13/us-news/stephen-cloobeck-accuser-reveals-shocking-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% 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 80% 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.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5

info Single Source 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

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Claim 1: “Cloobeck has denied the charges against him”

CORROBORATED

Two independent sources explicitly state that Cloobeck has denied the charges, including a statement from his spokesperson.

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web search 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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cloobeck

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck has denied the charges against him after he bailed out of a West Hollywood police station on Tuesday. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. A man with gray hair and a blue s…
https://nypost.com/2026/05/13/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

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web search NEUTRAL — Stephen Cloobeck, center, has denied allegations that he threatened witnesses in the case against his fiancée. David Buchan for California Post. “These charges are false, and we look forward to our da…
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/billionaire-stephen-cloo…

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Claim 2: “On May 12, 2026, at approximately 10:59 a.m., Stephen Cloobeck surrendered at West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged violation of dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim of a crime (136.1 PC)”

CORROBORATED

The specific date (May 12, 2026), time (10:59 a.m.), location (West Hollywood Sheriff's Station), and the specific penal code (136.1 PC) are corroborated by the statement shared with KTLA and other reports.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Stephen Cloobeck, the former Democratic donor and one-time California gubernatorial candidate, was arrested Tuesday in the Los Angeles area on suspicion of felony charges.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/stephen-cloobeck-ar…

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web search NEUTRAL — Cloobeck surrendered Tuesday at the LA County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood station and was released after posting $300,000 bail.
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-area-billionaire…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck has denied the charges against him after he bailed out of a West Hollywood police station on Tuesday.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/13/us-news/billionaire-stephen-cl…

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Claim 3: “He has been accused of witness tampering with multiple men who accused Lavie of stealing from them after meeting on dating apps”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources report that Cloobeck was arrested for witness tampering in connection with a case involving Adva Lavie, who is accused of defrauding men via dating apps.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Ventura is accused of using dating apps to target wealthy men and young women across LA to steal cash, gold, and designer goods.May 12, 2026: Cloobeck is arrested in West Hollywood. May 18, 2026: Lavi…
https://www.foxla.com/news/stephen-cloobeck-arrested-witness…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Candidate Stephen Cloobeck Arrested in Witness Tampering Case.Lavie, a former model featured in Penthouse magazine, is accused of targeting wealthy men through dating apps and allegedly stealing luxur…
https://www.ibtimes.com/former-california-gov-candidate-step…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Adva Lavie has been charged in an alleged scheme to target rich old men for burglary via dating apps. Lavie has used multiple aliases, including Shoshana and Mia Ventura, according to law enforcement.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/13/us-news/stephen-cloobecks-arre…

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Claim 4: “She’s set to face a criminal trial in May, alleging she used dating apps to defraud her victims”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm Adva Lavie is accused of using dating apps to defraud/rob victims and is facing trial/court proceedings.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Lavie is accused of luring rich men on dating apps across LA County and posing as a 'girlfriend' before burglarizing their homes of cash, credit cards and high-end designer items. Lavie (pictured) was…
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15677875/model-accuse…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Adva Lavie, a Los Angeles social media influencer and OnlyFans model accused of using dating apps to infiltrate and burglarize the homes of victims she met online, was ordered Monday to stand trial on…
https://thepridela.com/2026/03/l-a-influencer-adva-lavie-ord…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Adva Lavie has been accused of using dating profiles to gain access to men's homes before allegedly burgling them.Using artificial intelligence for mental health counseling might be cheaper than going…
https://www.unilad.com/news/us-news/adva-lavie-accused-robbi…

info

Claim 5: “Cloobeck was released on $300,000 bail”

SINGLE SOURCE

Only one specific web search result mentions the $300,000 bail amount; other sources confirm the arrest but do not specify the bail amount.

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.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — A post-Byzantine tradition holds that Stephen's stoning occurred there, while an older tradition connects the martyrdom to the Damascus Gate, where a church and large monastic complex dedicated to Sai…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen

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web search NEUTRAL — Stephen calmly walks into a police station and confesses to killing nine women, baffling authorities. Police Inspector Michael and psychiatrist Seema investigate, exploring Stephen's past and the moti…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_(film)

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Claim 6: “If convicted on all counts, Cloobeck faces up to 11 years and six months in prison and up to $30,000 in fines”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided or found regarding the specific maximum sentence of 11 years and six months or the $30,000 fine.

info

Claim 7: “Farag, an accounting professor at Cal Poly”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided evidence for 'Mike' consists of unrelated Wikipedia entries for a musician and a miniseries; there is no evidence confirming a Mike Farag as an accounting professor at Cal Poly.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Michael Jordan Bonema (born October 13, 1998), known professionally as MIKE (stylized in all caps), is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer based in New York City.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_(musician)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Mike is an American television miniseries created by Steven Rogers. The series is an unauthorized look at the life of boxer Mike Tyson, with Trevante Rhodes as the title role, and co-stars Russell Hor…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_(miniseries)

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — mike. (born Michael Francis Seander) is an American platinum recording artist. His musical journey started in 2012 recovering from surgery at Duke university...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCISUBBsZSMpUGO8OcqAvGhA

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Claim 8: “Stephen Cloobeck was arrested after handing himself into a West Hollywood police station on Tuesday”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources (KTLA, NBC4, and other web results) confirm that Stephen Cloobeck surrendered at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station on a Tuesday morning.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — A warrant had been issued for Mr. Cloobeck's arrest, and he surrendered at the West Hollywood station on Tuesday morning.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/cloobeck-arrest-califo…

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web search NEUTRAL — The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department shared the following statement with KTLA: "On May 12, 2026, at approximately 10:59 a.m., Stephen Cloobeck surrendered at West Hollywood Sheriff's Station ...
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/stephen-cloobeck-arrested-i…

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help

Claim 9: “This investigation is being conducted by the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station and the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the Adva Lavie investigation”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided or found regarding the involvement of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station and LAPD in this specific investigation.

info

Claim 10: “Cloobeck was arrested on four criminal counts, including one felony charge of preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from attending or testifying at a trial or proceeding that named Farag as the victim”

SINGLE SOURCE

While multiple sources confirm the arrest for dissuading witnesses, the specific detail regarding 'four criminal counts' and 'Mike Farag as the victim' is not corroborated across multiple independent sources in the provided evidence.

travel_explore

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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cloobeck

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Los Angeles-area billionaire and political donor Stephen Cloobeck has turned himself in to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in connection with an arrest warrant alleging he dissuaded severa…
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/la-area-billionaire…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Eccentric billionaire Stephen Cloobeck’s friends and acquaintances tried to warn him to break off the relationship with his alleged honeytrapper fiancée long before he was arrested.
https://nypost.com/2026/05/13/us-news/stephen-cloobecks-arre…

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.