Retired US financier Howard Rubin arrested on sex-trafficking charges

Retired U.S. financier Howard Rubin and his former assistant Jennifer Powers were arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Rubin was arrested in Fairfield, Connecticut; Powers in Southlake, Texas.
The indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court.

From 2009–2019, they allegedly recruited dozens of women, including former Playboy models, to fly to New York for paid sex acts with Rubin.
Targets included financially desperate women, those with addiction issues, or prior sexual abuse.
Women were allegedly encouraged to use drugs or alcohol and pushed beyond their consent, suffering injuries and trauma requiring medical care.

Before 2011, encounters were held at luxury Manhattan hotels; between 2011–2017, mostly at a Central Park penthouse.
The penthouse featured “The Dungeon,” a red, soundproofed room with bondage equipment and a lock.
Powers maintained the room, restocked equipment, recruited women, arranged flights, and handled complaints.
Over $1 million of Rubin’s funds allegedly spent on recruiting women for BDSM-style commercial sex acts.
Women were required to sign NDAs stating they weren’t under the influence at signing.

Since 2012, Rubin allegedly funded nearly all aspects of Powers’ and her family’s lifestyle, including rent, private school tuition, and a Texas home.

In 2017, both were sued for civil sex trafficking but a jury found them not liable; the case is on appeal.

If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life.

From

The World