Introduction to the Case
Retired financier Howard Rubin was arrested Friday on sex trafficking charges for allegedly trafficking dozens of women, including former Playboy models, to be sexually and physically assaulted during encounters in his Central Park penthouse in a soundproofed room described in court papers as “The Dungeon.”
Authorities announced the arrest of Rubin and his former personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, on charges in an indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court.
Arrest and Charges
Rubin, 70, was arrested Friday at his rental home in Fairfield, Connecticut, while Powers, 45, was arrested at her home in Southlake, Texas, authorities said. The DOJ said Rubin was expected to be arraigned on Friday and Powers will make her first appearance in court on Monday.
Messages for comment were sent to multiple lawyers for both of them.
Background of the Accused
During a three-decade career, Rubin worked at various financial firms, including Merrill Lynch, Bear Stearns and Soros Fund Management.
Details of the Abuse
Prosecutors said Rubin and Powers abused the women between 2009 and 2019 after recruiting them to fly to New York to engage in sex acts with Rubin in exchange for money.
They said Rubin and Powers targeted women who were desperate, including women who had previously been sexually abused, along with women who were financially desperate or who suffered from addiction. Once they were in New York, the women were encouraged to use drugs or alcohol to prepare for their sexual encounters, and they sometimes engaged in conduct beyond the scope of their consent, prosecutors said.
Extent of the Abuse
During the encounters, women suffered significant pain, including bruises and psychological trauma, and sometimes required medical treatment, according to court papers.
Rubin and Powers spent more than $1 million of Rubin’s money to recruit the women to participate in commercial sex acts involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission and sadomasochism, according to a letter submitted to a federal judge in which prosecutors sought detention for Rubin and a significant bail package for Powers.
The Dungeon
The letter said that prior to 2011, the commercial acts usually occurred at luxury hotels in Manhattan, but from 2011 to 2017, they usually occurred in a two-bedroom penthouse near Central Park.
The penthouse contained “The Dungeon,” a soundproofed room painted red that had a lock on the door and was outfitted with bondage and discipline instruments, prosecutors said.
They said Powers maintained the dungeon, cleaned it between uses and restocked the equipment, recruited women, arranged their flights, and managed fallout from complaints about the sessions with Rubin.
Nondisclosure Agreements
Rubin and Powers required the women to sign nondisclosure agreements and pledge that they were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they signed the agreements, prosecutors said.
Financial Support
According to court papers, Rubin has funded virtually all aspects of Powers and her family’s lifestyle since 2012, including rent on their Manhattan apartment, her children’s private school tuition, and the down payment and mortgage on their Texas-based home after the Powers moved to Texas in 2020.
Previous Lawsuits
Prosecutors said Rubin and Powers were sued for civil sex trafficking in November 2017, but a jury found at trial that they were not liable. The case has been appealed.
Potential Sentencing
Rubin and Powers each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life if convicted.
Call to Action
If you believe you have been victimized by or have information about Howard Rubin or Jennifer Powers, please contact the FBI at fbi.gov/HowardRubinVictims, HowardRubinVictims@FBI.gov or 212-384-3600.
Conclusion
The case against Howard Rubin and Jennifer Powers is a disturbing example of the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable individuals. The allegations of sex trafficking and physical abuse are serious and have had a profound impact on the victims. It is essential that those responsible are brought to justice and that measures are taken to prevent such abuse in the future.
FAQs
Q: Who are Howard Rubin and Jennifer Powers?
A: Howard Rubin is a retired financier, and Jennifer Powers is his former personal assistant. They have been charged with sex trafficking and abuse.
Q: What are the allegations against Rubin and Powers?
A: The allegations include recruiting and trafficking dozens of women for sex acts, physical abuse, and psychological trauma.
Q: How did Rubin and Powers recruit their victims?
A: They targeted vulnerable women, including those who had previously been sexually abused, were financially desperate, or suffered from addiction.
Q: What is "The Dungeon"?
A: "The Dungeon" is a soundproofed room in Rubin’s penthouse apartment where the abuse allegedly occurred. It was equipped with bondage and discipline instruments.
Q: What are the potential sentences for Rubin and Powers?
A: They each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life if convicted.
