Former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck charged on 3 felony counts

Billionaire and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck was arrested this week following accusations that he dissuaded witnesses from testifying in a criminal case involving his fiancée, Mia Ventura.

Charging documents obtained by CBS LA show that Cloobeck allegedly committed the crimes between last December and this February. 

Ventura, also known as Adva Lavie, is part of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigation accusing her of stealing from various men. Ventura spoke on several podcasts, boasting how she would meet men who would give her excess amounts of money, and the sheriff's department alleges that she would then steal from them while she was there.

In October, 2025, detectives released a photo of Ventura, along with two of her vehicles, seeking additional victims.

"Suspect Lavie has been involved in a series of residential burglaries throughout LA County, targeting older men and posing as a girlfriend or companion on social media dating platforms and applications," the release said.   

Now, sheriff's detectives accuse Cloobeck of trying to interfere in their case against Ventura in the Malibu, Lost Hills area.

According to the charges filed on April 28, Cloobeck is facing three felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness or victim from attending a proceeding by force or threat. He's also facing a misdemeanor for making annoying phone calls.

His bail was listed at $300,000.

Cloobeck, 64, briefly ran for governor as a Democrat before ending his campaign in November. He then endorsed former Rep. Eric Swalwell. 

Swalwell himself dropped out of the race and resigned from office after sexual misconduct and assault allegations were made against him. He's now the subject of a criminal investigation in LA County. Swalwell denies the allegations.