Penthouse Pet Accused of Robbery Hires Israeli Attorney for Extradition
Adva Lavie, facing felony charges for allegedly defrauding older men, has retained a lawyer who is seeking to have her returned to Israel.
Former model Adva Lavie, accused of using dating apps to steal from wealthy older men, has hired an Israeli attorney who is working to secure her extradition from the United States. Lavie, who has been in custody at the LA County Jail since July, faces six felony charges and up to 10 years in prison.
Her newly retained attorney, Tai Sharki, stated that his primary objective is to facilitate Lavie's return to Israel, a process he hopes to expedite by involving Israeli politicians and consulate officials. Sharki, who has prior experience with the justice system, described Lavie's current incarceration as "traumatic." He alleges that Lavie is facing anti-semitism and is being held under constant surveillance, leading to significant distress.
Lavie was initially released on bail in March under strict conditions, including GPS monitoring. However, her bail was revoked in July after she was found without her ankle monitor, which was later discovered at a nearby hotel. This incident marked another violation of her bail terms. Prior infractions included possessing an Israeli passport and crossing county lines, for which she had previously received a warning from the court.
Sharki also claimed that Lavie is not eating in prison, weighing approximately 99 pounds, due to "Kosher issues" and alleges she is being subjected to mistreatment. He further suggested that while Israeli law typically requires sentencing before extradition, "humanitarian purposes" could allow for an earlier transfer.
Lavie was previously engaged to billionaire Steven Cloobeck, who reportedly ended their relationship following her arrest. Cloobeck himself faces charges of witness tampering for allegedly contacting witnesses in Lavie's case. Lavie has reportedly stated her intention to testify against Cloobeck in his upcoming trial.
A judge is scheduled to determine Lavie's competency to stand trial. Her attorney, Jeremy Lessem, previously stated that Lavie was undergoing an evaluation by Dr. Tumu, a physician trusted by the courts.