War Dogs follows two low-level arms dealers, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America’s allies in Afghanistan, yet the movie doesn’t go into detail about what happened to the pair after film ends. The 2016 crime comedy explored the ethics of weapons manufacturing and profiting off war. It was directed by Todd Phillips, known for The Hangover and Joker, and stars Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. War Dogs is based on a true story, but the movie takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect.
War Dogs embellishes certain elements, most notably the action-packed sequences and dangerous situations that the characters find themselves. Even the kidnapping of Packouz by a character played by Bradley Cooper did not actually happen. Yet War Dogs is not among the most inaccurate “true story” movies ever made. It remains true to the backstories, motivations, and characterization of Packouz and Diveroli, who were dealing arms and secured lucrative deals with the US government. Here’s what happened to the real David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli following the events depicted in the movie.
Efraim Diveroli was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in supplying Chinese ammunition to Afghanistan under the guise of Albanian origin, violating the American arms embargo against China. Diveroli operated AEY, Inc., a major weapons contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, which was suspended by the U.S. government on March 27, 2008, for these contractual violations. The incident prompted a significant review of the U.S. Army’s contracting procedures and brought Diveroli and his partner, David Packouz, into the public eye.
AEY, Inc. had secured over $200 million in contracts in 2007 to supply ammunition, rifles, and other weapons, but the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform deemed much of the ammunition “unserviceable.” AEY had also failed to fulfill several other contracts. Despite awaiting trial, Diveroli continued selling arms through another company, Ammoworks. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in August 2008 and was sentenced in January 2011, with additional penalties for possessing a weapon while out on bond. His cooperation with the investigation led to a reduced sentence.
Despite being charged with fraud and conspiracy alongside Efraim Diveroli, David Packouz received a notably lighter sentence of seven months of house arrest. This leniency was primarily due to Packouz’s cooperation with the authorities. In an interview with The Rolling Stone, Packouz admitted, “I realized I was going to get caught no matter what I did, so I turned myself in.” By assisting in the investigation and providing crucial information about AEY, Inc.’s operations and Diveroli’s actions, Packouz helped the prosecution build a case against Diveroli. His cooperation was a significant factor in the court’s decision to impose house arrest rather than a prison sentence.
Furthermore, Packouz’s cooperation was seen as a mitigating factor that distinguished his level of culpability from Diveroli’s. While Diveroli, as the primary operator of AEY, Inc., faced a harsher penalty of four years in prison, Packouz’s willingness to testify and assist in the legal proceedings showcased his lesser involvement in the scheme’s most egregious aspects. In addition to cooperating with authorities, Packouz expressed remorse for the “embarrassment, stress and heartache that I have caused” (via Rolling Stone) – a sentiment that also affected his sentence.
Following the release of War Dogs, David Packouz co-founded War Dogs Academy, an online educational platform tailored to those interested in government contracting. Alongside Packouz are Logan Gross and James Sciales, who, like Packouz, achieved notable success in securing millions of dollars in U.S. government contracts in their early twenties. War Dogs Academy positions itself as a community-driven initiative, offering step-by-step guidance on navigating the complexities of government contracting.
According to the War Dogs Academy website, the company’s mission is “to be the leading community based, step by step guide on government contracting,” pledging to teach clients “how to create a business, register with the government, find opportunities, and submit and win proposals to the U.S. government.” Although Packouz plays a prominent role in the business, Diveroli has no involvement – despite the pair’s shared history.
A decade later, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli have diverged in their paths since their days as arms dealers. Packouz, recruited by Diveroli into the business, has since transitioned to a different life. He resides in Florida, where he operates BeatBuddy, a company selling electronic drum machines. Alongside his music ventures, Packouz has explored other projects like Instafloss and Singular Sound. Despite occasional involvement in the War Dogs movie as a consultant, Packouz mainly focuses on his entrepreneurial pursuits. His estimated net worth is $2.9 million (via Wealthy Gorilla), stemming from his music business and involvement in War Dogs.
In contrast, Efraim Diveroli’s post-arms dealing endeavors have been tumultuous. He wrote a memoir titled Once a Gun Runner…, documenting his life and sued the producers of War Dogs for alleged story theft. Diveroli’s net worth is estimated between $15 to $25 million, attributed to his memoir’s success and various business ventures. Engaged in legal battles and ventures like Incarcerated Entertainment, Diveroli’s activities remain less transparent. He ventured into government subcontracting through Medlink but faced federal contracting restrictions until 2025 due to legal issues. Despite differing paths, both Packouz and Diveroli maintain their post-arms-dealing lives with varied levels of public engagement.
Sources: The Independent, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Bustle, Wealthy Gorilla, and War Dogs Academy.