FBI, IRS and CID, are seen leaving the Helly Nahmad Gallery at 975 Madison Ave carrying apple computers and other items from the space. (Kristy Leibowitz )
FBI, IRS and CID, are seen leaving the Helly Nahmad Gallery at 975 Madison Ave carrying apple computers and other items from the space. (Kristy Leibowitz )
Gisele Bundchen with fugitive art dealer Helly Nahmad eating lunch at Nello’s Restaurant in 2003. (Getty Images)
A heavyweight art baron and a famed Russian gangster were among those arrested today as federal agents smashed a massive illegal gambling operation that stretched from New York City to the Ukraine.
Federal agents are searching for Helly Nahmad – son of billionaire art dealer David Nahmad – and raided his gallery in the bottom floor of the famed Carlyle Hotel this morning.
The scion is part of one of the most influential art dealing families in the world with a reported $3 billion worth of famed pieces in their portfolio.
Agents also indicted Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, a legendary Russian gangster and one of the world’s most wanted international fugitives, as part of the sweep.
Known as Taiwanchik, he is accused of trying to bribe Olympic officials in Salt Lake City in 2002 as part of his international criminal resume.
The ring – which operated online gambling rings in addition to celebrity studded live poker games, netted $50 million since 2006, according to an indictment.
“A couple dozen” perps were rounded up at the their homes and businesses around the metro area,a source said.
Those arrested are to appear today in Manhattan federal court.
The art gallery raid was part of a nationwide crack down on Russian organized crime ran high-stakes poker games attended by professional athletes, Hollywood celebrities and Wall Street titans.
The authorities say the games were an offshoot of a major money-laundering scheme.
FBI agents arrested several people Tuesday in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and elsewhere as part of the investigation.
Prosecutors are expected to detail the case later Tuesday.
Authorities wouldn’t name the poker players.