A former personal assistant to financier Howard Rubin, who allegedly helped lure numerous women into abusive situations within a Manhattan “sex dungeon,” lived a lavish lifestyle largely financed by her DJ husband and, notably, by her boss, who funded almost every aspect of their lives.
Jennifer Powers, a 45-year-old mother of three, was expected to appear in Brooklyn Federal Courthouse on Wednesday. She’s implicated in helping the notorious ex-money manager orchestrate a sex trafficking operation over nearly a decade.
Working for Rubin since 2011, Powers faced fresh accusations just before her court hearing, claiming that she failed to report over $9 million in funds used for everything from her children’s private education to household expenses.
The federal government’s court documents highlighted that since around 2012, Rubin essentially financed her lifestyle and that of her family.
Her husband, Steve Powers, found himself embroiled in this increasing scandal when it was alleged that Jennifer falsified joint tax returns from 2018 to 2024.
The couple tied the knot in Miami’s Versace Mansion in a grand ceremony inspired by “high fashion, rock and roll.” They honeymooned for about a month, reportedly splitting their time between Botswana and the Maldives.
In the years that followed, their social media showcased trips to multiple exotic locations, including Hawaii and Italy, with glimpses of family life framed in luxury, such as private jets and Disney cruises.
Conversely, federal accusations revealed that Jennifer, alongside Rubin, had allegedly arranged for women to be sexually abused in a ritzy rental penthouse dubbed a “dungeon.” This trafficking operation reportedly spanned from 2009 to 2019, with prosecutors claiming the assistant and her boss exchanged messages brokering the abuse.
In 2020, the couple relocated to Texas, with Rubin apparently settling debts for them from his affluent suburban home. Jennifer also reportedly neglected to report $500,000 to the IRS from credit card benefits Rubin covered between 2018 and 2023.
Notably, Jennifer’s reported earnings during this time came in under $40,000 for certain tax years, raising eyebrows, especially considering the lavish lifestyle she portrayed.
Prosecutors alleged their entire existence was bankrolled by Rubin, who himself has a complicated history, including ties to George Soros’ investment firm and involvement in a lawsuit from a Playboy model claiming abuse.
Jennifer previously taught in the Carroll Independent School District in Southlake, Texas, but was removed from her position following the indictment. She made her initial appearance in Texas Federal Court on Monday, released on a GPS monitor and an $850,000 bond while awaiting the New York hearing.
Rubin, for his part, pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him and remains held without bail ahead of a court date on October 20. It’s still uncertain when Steve Powers will face the court.
