Controversial California Billionaire Indicted
California billionaire Stephen Krubeck is no stranger to controversy. Recently, he was indicted on multiple felonies tied to his complex relationship with a Penthouse Pet girlfriend. This indictment follows a short-lived sheltering of disgraced politician Eric Swalwell. Krubeck is set to go on trial in May.
The turmoil surrounding him intensified after his campaign for California governor, where he styled himself as the “Democratic Donald Trump,” failed in November last year. Before his campaign collapse, he threw his support behind Swalwell.
Before all this, Krubeck made his fortune, and controversy came hand in hand with wealth.
In 2021, he found himself embroiled in a messy breakup with his ex-girlfriend, OnlyFans model Stephanie Grzanski. Allegedly, he lavished $1.3 million on gifts and vacations for her, only to discover she was secretly filming content for her OnlyFans account. He described himself as a “victim of a cunning serial con artist” and accused her of a range of offenses, from fraud to trespassing.
“When I turned my back, I could barely see anything,” he remarked. “She’s posting pictures of my assets daily online. Had I known, I would have lost it.”
Grzanski countered, claiming his behavior had become “erratic” post-breakup, making her feel insecure.
Krubeck later shifted his affections to Adva Ravi, another figure embroiled in legal issues. Despite her facing felony charges and being under an ankle monitor preventing her from leaving California, he still wishes to marry her, putting wedding plans on hold.
Born in California in 1961 and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Krubeck comes from a background that facilitated his political aspirations. His father, Sheldon Krubeck, was a well-known real estate developer in the timeshare sector.
Rather than follow in his father’s footsteps, Krubeck graduated from Brandeis University in 1983, initially aiming for a career in medicine. However, he eventually pivoted to real estate, studying accounting and business law at various institutions. By 29, he owned his first hotel in Las Vegas and later founded Diamond Resorts, even featuring on “Undercover Boss.”
He sold the company for $2.2 billion in 2016, labelling himself as the fixer who revived a struggling business.
Eventually, he became active in Democratic Party circles to aid his business goals. Although he contemplated running for governor of Nevada, he was convinced to back down by influential figures, allowing former Democratic Sen. Harry Reid’s legacy to guide his ambitions.
After years in the background, Krubeck decided to enter the fray himself, running for California governor. He expressed dissatisfaction with the political landscape, including candidates like Kamala Harris. “I shouldn’t be here,” he admitted. “We can’t trust those currently in office with our lives or taxpayer funds.”
Identifying as a conservative Democrat, he criticized the current administration while suing opponents. Nevertheless, his campaign failed to gain traction, leading to his withdrawal and endorsement of Swalwell. Krubeck seemed steadfast in supporting the California Democratic Party at the time.
Unfortunately for him, the relationship with Swalwell soured amid sexual misconduct allegations, leading to Swalwell’s expulsion from Congress. Krubeck soon distanced himself, stating, “I no longer support Eric. I’m done with Democrats—I’m now a Libertarian.”
On Tuesday, Krubeck was arrested on multiple charges tied to the ongoing legal issues surrounding his girlfriend. If found guilty, he could face over a decade in prison.
