Financier ‘Howie’ Rubin & Aide Charged in Sex Trafficking Ring

BROOKLYN, NY – Howard Rubin, a retired New York financier known as “Howie” and “H,” and his personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, are facing federal charges in a chilling sex trafficking and bank fraud scheme unsealed today. The 10-count indictment alleges a decade-long operation where Rubin, leveraging his wealth, exploited and abused multiple women transported across state lines for commercial sexual acts.

Rubin, 72, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Powers, of Texas, are accused of spending at least $1 million to finance the torture of women through a national trafficking network. According to authorities, Rubin used his status to lure victims, subjecting them to unthinkable trauma and silencing any attempts to report the abuse with threats of legal action. Powers, allegedly, ran the day-to-day operations of the enterprise and was “generously” compensated for her efforts. The charges include sex trafficking and transporting women in interstate commerce for sex acts with Rubin, as well as bank fraud connected to Powers’s Texas mortgage.

“As alleged, the defendants used Rubin’s wealth to mislead and recruit women to engage in commercial sex acts, where Rubin then tortured women beyond their consent, causing lasting physical and/or psychological pain, and in some cases physical injuries,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. “Today’s arrests show that no one who engages in sex trafficking…is above the law.” The indictment details a disturbing pattern of abuse that allegedly occurred initially in luxury hotels, then escalated to Rubin’s midtown Manhattan penthouse.

That penthouse, described by investigators, was transformed into a dedicated “sex ‘dungeon’”—a soundproofed, red-painted bedroom filled with BDSM equipment, including a device used to shock the women. IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr. emphasized the depravity of the operation, stating that while Rubin dehumanized the victims, Powers facilitated the logistics. “This was not a one-man show,” Chavis stated. “Powers is alleged to have run the day-to-day operations of the enterprise and got paid generously for her efforts.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia added, “For many years, Howard Rubin and Jennifer Powers allegedly spent at least one million dollars to finance the commercial sexual torture of multiple women…The defendants allegedly exploited Rubin’s status to ensnare their prospective victims and forced them to endure unthinkable physical trauma before silencing any outcries with threats of legal recourse.” The indictment alleges that between 2009 and 2019, Rubin and Powers recruited women to travel to New York City for “BDSM” sex acts involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism – acts that allegedly crossed the line into trafficking and abuse.

Rubin was arrested this morning in Fairfield, Connecticut, and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. Powers was apprehended in Texas and will make her initial appearance in federal court in the Northern District of Texas on Monday, with a later arraignment planned in the Eastern District of New York. Both defendants face significant prison time if convicted on the charges. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.