Doubt declared about mental competency of model accused of scamming victims

VAN NUYS, Calif. (KESQ) - Criminal proceedings were suspended today after a doubt was declared about the mental competency of a model and social media influencer charged with six felony counts, including burglary and grand theft, involving alleged victims she met through dating apps.

Adva Lavie, 29, is due in at the Mental Health Courthouse in Hollywood Sept. 9, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.   

Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura, was charged last year with stealing money and other property from people she met through dating apps -- including wealthy older men and some younger women.

Prosecutors say she targeted victims in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 2023 to 2025. They say she posed as a girlfriend and travel companion to gain access to the victims' homes and then allegedly stole cash, gold and high-end designer items.

She is charged with two counts each of grand theft and unauthorized use of personal identifying information, along with one count each of first-degree residential burglary and first-degree residential burglary with a person present.   

A judge denied the defense's request for a mental health diversion program for Lavie earlier this month.   

Lavie is also facing similar charges in Riverside County for a case in Indio during music festival season last year.

Lavie had been engaged to billionaire and former gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck, who was arrested in West Hollywood in May for allegedly trying to dissuade multiple people from testifying in a criminal case against his then-fiancée.

Cloobeck -- a real estate magnate who dropped his bid for governor late last year and threw his support behind now-disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell -- pleaded not guilty Aug. 7 to charges that he tried to dissuade people from testifying in a criminal case against Lavie.

He was charged April 28 with two felony counts of attempting to prevent or dissuade a witness/victim from attending a proceeding by force or threat, and one felony count of preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from attending or testifying at a trial or proceeding.

He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of annoying telephone calls -- allegedly directed at the attorney of one of the alleged victims in his fiancée's case.   

The victims named in the criminal complaint against Cloobeck are all alleged victims in Lavie's case.  

The California Post reported that Cloobeck has called off his engagement to Lavie.