US President Donald Trump publicly expressed disapproval of a former lawyer’s financial dealings with the family of a Venezuelan banker who subsequently received a presidential pardon from Trump. The president characterized the arrangement as unacceptable during remarks to reporters at his Florida residence on Saturday.
Alina Habba Mildon signed a four-year contract in October 2025 with a company owned by the family of Julio Herrera Velutini, a Venezuelan banker facing federal bribery charges. The contract guaranteed Habba Mildon more than $50 million over the agreement’s duration, including an annual salary of $10 million and performance bonuses. At the time of signing, Habba Mildon held the position of acting US attorney for New Jersey, a role Trump had appointed her to following her service as his personal lawyer.
Herrera faced accusations of bribing the former governor of Puerto Rico in connection with the removal of a financial regulator investigating his banking operations. He reached a plea deal with prosecutors in August 2025 while facing federal bribery charges. In December, Habba Mildon departed from her position as US attorney following a court determination that she could not legally serve in that role. She subsequently accepted employment as a senior adviser to the attorney general at the Justice Department.
Habba Mildon officially commenced work for Herrera’s family company while maintaining her Justice Department position on January 1. Approximately two weeks later, on January 15, Trump granted Herrera a full presidential pardon. The company in question, identified as Concord Partners, maintains no public profile and its business operations remain undisclosed. Habba Mildon has stated she played no role in securing the pardon and has denied receiving compensation for obtaining one.
Trump reportedly became angered upon learning of the contract’s financial magnitude and indicated that Habba Mildon should donate portions of the funds to a Trump presidential library or related organization. The president suggested the banker’s family cease making remaining payments under the contract terms.
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