Charges Against Former Portfolio Manager for Sex Trafficking
A former portfolio manager from Soros Fund Management has been charged in a disturbing case involving allegations of seduction and abuse. Howard Rubin, 70, is accused of luring women, including a ex-Playboy model, into a Manhattan penthouse that featured a soundproof “dungeon” where prosecutors claim sexual violence occurred.
Alongside 45-year-old Jennifer Powers, Rubin faces federal charges related to sex trafficking and bank fraud. Officials allege that between 2009 and 2019, Rubin operated a significant network that enticed women into sex work, often through manipulation and deceit.
Christopher Leia, an FBI assistant director, suggests that Rubin’s operations directly harmed women, both physically and psychologically. It’s claimed that he spent over $1 million to fund his activities, maintaining the Manhattan penthouse, which included payment methods for women, restraints, and other disturbing devices.
Rubin allegedly exploited his status to manipulate victims into enduring serious physical harm while silencing them through intimidation. After being arrested in Connecticut, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge in Brooklyn has denied him bail, deeming him a flight risk despite efforts by his attorneys to secure his release with a substantial bond.
Powers was apprehended in Texas and is set to appear in court soon. The charges highlight a long and troubling career for Rubin, who was previously associated with various financial institutions, including notable time at Soros Fund Management. It is reported that Powers served as his personal assistant, overseeing the chaotic logistics of his operations.
In a disturbing aspect of the case, prosecutors indicate that the women recruited often faced prior abuses, financial hardships, or addiction issues, and they were sometimes urged to use drugs or alcohol to prepare for encounters with Rubin. The prosecution argues that these situations led to significant physical pain and psychological distress.
After their encounters, payment to the women was carefully orchestrated through methods like PayPal or Venmo, deliberately avoiding substantial single transactions to escape bank scrutiny.
If found guilty of sex trafficking, both Rubin and Powers could face hefty prison sentences, with a minimum of 15 years and possibly life behind bars. Rubin is also facing allegations related to bank fraud in connection to a home purchase, lying on mortgage documents and claiming no involvement in a related lawsuit.
In a past ruling, a judge held Rubin responsible for a $3.9 million judgement in favor of a woman who sued him in 2017, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.
