Criminal case paused for LA model accused of dating app theft after attorney questions competency
L.A. influencer Adva Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, is accused of stealing from people she met through dating apps.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The criminal case against influencer and former OnlyFans model Adva Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, was suspended on Wednesday after her defense attorney declared doubt over her mental competency, prompting a halt to all proceedings until the court determines whether she can stand trial.
Lavie appeared in a Los Angeles County courtroom wearing a blue jail jumpsuit and cried, limped and yelled during the hearing. Cameras were not permitted inside, but Lavie was heard in the courtroom making several statements, including, "Just deport me back to Israel," "They broke my rib. Just send me home," "They're beating me up," and "I can't survive in jail. I can't even stand."
At various points, Lavie left and reentered the courtroom. She was observed limping, and a bailiff at one point pushed her into the room on a rolling chair. Her attorney's declaration of doubt pauses the case and forces the court to evaluate her mental competency.
The suspension comes roughly two weeks after a judge denied Lavie's request for mental health treatment instead of jail time.
Lavie was arrested earlier this year and is accused of using dating apps to build relationships before robbing, stealing from and extorting victims, according to investigators. Authorities say the alleged victims include older wealthy men as well as younger women and are located in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
She faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held without bond.
What is Adva Lavie accused of?
Lavie appeared on the "Access Vegas" podcast in 2024, where she said she stopped doing OnlyFans and was in real estate school.
Prosecutors say that during the taping, Lavie got up from her chair and allegedly stole items belonging to other guests from a green room, including a credit card. They say the stolen card was later used at a "pricey Beverly Hills salon."
Prosecutors also accuse Lavie -- who has appeared in Penthouse and Playboy --- of stealing from a 78-year-old man she was dating. Investigators claim Lavie allegedly took $17,500 in U.S. currency, $100,000 in designer clothes and gold coins valued at $4,000 from his Van Nuys home, totaling $121,500 in losses.
Detectives say Lavie later posted an "apartment tour" on TikTok and "posted a video which showed the stolen clothing in her closet."
Prosecutors further allege Lavie told the same man that her mother had died and asked him for $25,000 to cover funeral expenses. According to investigators, Lavie traveled to Israel while under investigation and was seen with her mother, who was "very much alive."
The court documents outline additional allegations, including claims that Lavie stole a Rolex from a man who refused to buy her a Coachella wristband and allegedly nabbing designer purses from women she shared an Airbnb with in Cannes, France.
After the previous hearing, where a judge denied her request for mental health treatment, defense attorney Jeremy Lessem said Lavie's history of trauma should qualify her for treatment. Lavie's attorneys told the judge she was sexually abused as a child and suffers from a series of psychiatric disorders like PTSD.
"We strongly believe that our client is suitable and eligible for mental health diversion. We thought that was the right solution for this case. The judge disagreed," Lessem said.
Why is Adva Lavie being held without bond?
Lavie is being held without bond after she was deemed a flight risk earlier this summer.
In late July, Lavie was arrested again on a warrant accusing her of stealing more than $10,000 worth of jewelry and other items in Indio last year. Investigators also said a court-ordered ankle monitor Lavie was supposed to be wearing was missing at the time of her arrest.
During a court hearing following her arrest, a judge ruled that Lavie would remain in custody without bail until trial. The decision came after the judge found that Lavie had violated multiple court orders, including applying for a second Israeli passport after her original passport had been confiscated and removing her GPS monitor.
Adva Lavie's alleged connection to billionaire and former candidate for California governor
Back in May, there was another twist in the case when billionaire and former California gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck was arrested after turning himself in on an outstanding felony warrant for alleged violation of dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim of a crime.
A criminal complaint against Cloobeck accused him of attempting to prevent at least two victims from testifying against Lavie, with whom Cloobeck has been romantically involved.
