Lone Woman in NBA Gambling Scandal, Sophia “Pookie” Wei, Accused of Destroying NYC Apartment and Owing $8,000 in Rent Before FBI Arrested Her in $7 Million Poker Scheme
The lone woman at the center of the sprawling NBA gambling scandal has found herself in more than one controversy — this time accused of leaving behind a trashed New York City apartment and thousands in unpaid rent before being arrested in an FBI sting that swept up over 30 suspects. Sophia “Pookie” Wei, 40, who was charged Thursday with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, is being called a “pain in the ass tenant” by her furious former Queens landlord, who says she left her apartment in complete disarray.
The landlord told the New York Post that Wei owes more than $8,000 in unpaid rent and left the place looking like a scene out of a disaster movie — littered with garbage, broken furniture, and damaged walls. “It was disgusting,” the landlord said. “She was a nightmare to deal with. Always late, always causing drama, and when she left, it was like a tornado hit the place.”
Wei’s arrest came as part of a high-profile federal operation that charged 31 people — including current and former NBA players, sports agents, and alleged mob associates — in what prosecutors described as a years-long gambling and money-laundering conspiracy. The group is accused of running rigged poker games and defrauding wealthy players out of roughly $7 million through manipulation and deceit. Wei, the only woman charged in the scheme, allegedly played a key role in helping move money tied to the illicit operation.
Court documents show that Wei appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn wearing a gray poker championship sweatshirt — a detail that hasn’t gone unnoticed given the nature of the charges. According to prosecutors, the network operated like a private high-roller club for insiders — until it drew the attention of the FBI.
Federal agents say the group’s poker ring wasn’t just about gambling; it was a complex ecosystem involving fake debts, laundering through shell accounts, and coded communication about betting outcomes. Wei’s name reportedly surfaced after investigators traced several questionable financial transactions connected to poker games hosted by individuals now accused of having Mafia ties.
Outside the courthouse, Wei remained tight-lipped, offering no comment as reporters shouted questions about both the charges and her landlord’s claims. Inside, she reportedly appeared calm as prosecutors laid out the accusations. Her attorney declined to speak to the press, saying only that his client “looks forward to clearing her name.”
Back in Queens, her former landlord isn’t convinced. “She was trouble from the beginning,” he told reporters. “Now I see her face on the news, and I’m not surprised at all. She was always acting like she was part of something bigger.” The landlord also provided photos of the apartment showing piles of trash, a refrigerator stuffed with expired food, and a floor coated in grime and debris — a stark contrast to Wei’s public image as a savvy and stylish New Yorker.
Neighbors described Wei as “friendly but unpredictable,” often keeping odd hours and receiving visitors at strange times. One neighbor said, “She always looked like she had money, but she never seemed to work.”
The FBI has not confirmed whether Wei’s alleged financial troubles or her living situation factored into her involvement in the scheme. But as the investigation unfolds, she has become one of the most talked-about figures in what’s shaping up to be one of the NBA’s most embarrassing scandals in years.
Wei was released on bond after her initial court appearance and is expected to return to court later this month. Meanwhile, her landlord is left with a trashed apartment and a long list of unanswered questions. “I just want my money,” he said. “But I guess she’s got bigger problems now.”
