Trustee Seeks Arrest of 'Puskas' Star Asher Ben Oz Over Bankruptcy Noncompliance

Asher Ben Oz, known as the star of the podcast 'Puskas,' faces a renewed arrest request from court-appointed trustee Ran Masika amid his ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The trustee alleges that Ben Oz has failed to cooperate, accumulating further defaults and causing significant financial damage to the bankruptcy estate by not paying any funds into the process. Masika also claims Ben Oz lives in a luxury penthouse in Ramat Gan, frequents upscale restaurants, and publicly boasts of wealth through his podcast, yet conceals his true financial situation and refuses to pay creditors.

Ben Oz reportedly owes approximately 14 million shekels in outstanding claims, though these lawsuits have not yet been resolved. The trustee has requested court permission to summon several of Ben Oz's extended family members for civil questioning, suspecting that Ben Oz receives financial support from them despite their likely low incomes. This latest arrest request follows a prior court decision in late April by Judge Lior Galbard, who denied an earlier arrest application but imposed strict conditions, including submitting financial reports, handing over documents, paying at least 10,000 shekels to creditors, and cooperating with the trustee.

Ben Oz, through his lawyer Asaf Tasiri, denies wrongdoing and insists his actions are in good faith, attributing delays to severe medical and financial difficulties. He claims he has no luxury vehicles or real estate ownership and depends on third-party support for basic living expenses. He argues that the 'Puskas' brand is his only means to recover financially and that arrest would destroy his potential to repay creditors. However, the trustee counters that Ben Oz has only appeared once for a five-hour meeting and has since failed to submit any reports or payments, with arrears now totaling 21,000 shekels.

Ben Oz responded to media reports by stating he has been arrested ten times and continues his work, dismissing the trustee's efforts as excessive. His lawyer emphasized ongoing disputes with the trustee and expressed hope the court will reject the arrest request, noting that Ben Oz is making efforts to maximize creditor value despite the trustee's pressure. The trustee confirmed the new arrest petition aims to enforce previous court orders and advance the bankruptcy process, awaiting the court's decision after responses are submitted.