The criminal case against Adva Lavie, the social media influencer accused of using dating apps to rob wealthy victims across Beverly Hills and other upscale communities, was suspended Wednesday, Aug. 26, after her defense attorney raised doubts about her mental competency.

The move halts all proceedings in Los Angeles County Superior Court until the court determines whether Lavie can stand trial.

Lavie, 29, also known as Mia Ventura, appeared in court wearing a blue jail jumpsuit. She cried, limped and yelled during the hearing, ABC7 reported. Cameras were not permitted inside. At various points she left and reentered the courtroom, and a bailiff pushed her into the room on a rolling chair.

"Just deport me back to Israel … They broke my rib. Just send me home … They're beating me up … I can't survive in jail. I can't even stand," Lavie said during the hearing, according to ABC7.

Defense attorney Jeremy Lessem triggered the suspension by formally declaring doubt over Lavie's competency. The declaration forces the court to appoint evaluators before the case can resume. No timeline for the evaluation has been announced.

The suspension came two weeks after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Diego H. Edber denied Lavie's request for mental health diversion on Aug. 10. Edber questioned her truthfulness, saying defense mental health reports claimed victims "provided a large amount of drugs and alcohol," which the judge called "just not true." He found her mental state played no role in the alleged crimes, according to the Los Angeles Times.

After that ruling, Lessem told reporters on Aug. 11, "We thought that was the right solution for this case. The judge disagreed."

Beverly Hills connections

Prosecutors allege Lavie used dating apps and online relationships between 2023 and 2025 to gain access to homes in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Westlake Village and Los Angeles before stealing cash, gold and luxury items.

Among the allegations: during the taping of the "Access Vegas" podcast in 2024, Lavie allegedly stole a credit card from a green room. Prosecutors say the card was later used at a Beverly Hills salon.

In a separate case, prosecutors allege Lavie stole $121,500 in cash, designer clothing and gold coins from a 78-year-old man she was dating in Van Nuys. Detectives say she later posted a TikTok "apartment tour" showing the stolen clothing in her closet.

Beverly Hills police arrested Lavie in late July near North Cannon Boulevard and Brighton Way around 10:30 p.m. on a new felony theft warrant out of Riverside County. Officers discovered she had removed her court-ordered ankle monitor.

Lavie faces six felony counts in Los Angeles County: two counts of grand theft, two counts of first-degree residential burglary and two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. She has pleaded not guilty and is held without bail. If convicted, she faces up to 11 years in state prison.

Billionaire Stephen Cloobeck, a former California gubernatorial candidate who was romantically involved with Lavie, was arrested in May on a felony warrant for allegedly attempting to prevent victims from testifying against her. Cloobeck has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $300,000 bond.

Residents with information related to the case can contact the Beverly Hills Police Department at (310) 550-4951.