Trump Pardon Follows Massive $50 Million Contract to Former Attorney
A New York Times investigation reveals Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini received a pardon from Donald Trump after his family paid Trump's ex-lawyer Alina Habba over $50 million.
The Pardon and the Multi-Million Dollar Contract
Venezuelan billionaire and banker Julio Herrera Velutini, who faced criminal charges in the United States, recently received a full presidential pardon from Donald Trump. However, a comprehensive investigation by The New York Times reveals that the pardon was granted just weeks after Herrera Velutini's family awarded Trump's former attorney, Alina Habba, an unprecedented employment contract valued at over $50 million.
Herrera Velutini was initially charged with serious bribery offenses. In August 2025, he entered into a plea agreement, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor campaign contribution charge. Seeking to clear his record completely, the family launched an aggressive lobbying campaign, ultimately establishing contact with individuals closely tied to the administration.
The Controversial Role of Alina Habba
According to the report, the Herrera family offered Habba a position as general counsel for Concord Partners, a newly formed entity in Florida. The contract guaranteed Habba a staggering $10 million annually for four years, alongside lucrative bonuses. Weeks after she assumed the role, Donald Trump granted Herrera Velutini an unconditional pardon.
"Any suggestion that my employment is in any way connected to securing the pardon is entirely false," Habba stated in her defense, while the White House maintained she had no influence over the president's decision.
Career Shifts and Political Implications
Habba's acceptance of the lucrative position followed significant personal and professional transitions. In December 2025, she stepped down from her federal prosecutor role after a court ruled her appointment unlawful. The financial security from the Herrera contract preceded her high-profile marriage to Turkish investor Turhan Mildon.
Observers note that this case highlights growing concerns regarding a lucrative "pardon industry" during the second term of Donald Trump, where wealthy individuals leverage substantial financial packages for political insiders to achieve legal exoneration.
