A retired financier from New York, previously linked to George Soros, has been accused of conducting years of cruel abuse against former Playboy models and other women in a Midtown penthouse that had been converted into a soundproof BDSM “dungeon,” according to a statement released by federal prosecutors on Friday.
Howard Rubin, aged 70, was apprehended at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut, early Friday morning on allegations of sex trafficking at least ten women from 2009 to 2019. He reportedly enticed them to upscale hotels in New York City and to his luxury apartment near Central Park, where he subjected them to restraint, physical assault, and electric shock, as stated by the Brooklyn US Attorney’s Office.
Known in financial circles as “Howie” or “H,” Rubin is said to have a wealth of at least tens of millions. Text messages between him and his personal assistant, Jennifer Powers—who is also facing charges related to this case—indicate that he took pleasure in these disturbing acts.
Joseph Nocella, Brooklyn’s US Attorney, stated, “As alleged, the defendants exploited Rubin’s financial resources to deceive and coerce women into commercial sexual activities, culminating in Rubin inflicting torture beyond their consent, which resulted in lasting physical and psychological harm, including some physical injuries.”
One bedroom in the West 57th Street penthouse was reportedly soundproof, painted red, and equipped with devices for shocking or electrocuting women. The authorities noted that this room also contained a cross and a bed with restraints, where victims would be bound and gagged.
In a disturbing text exchange, Rubin allegedly informed Powers that he had tied a woman to the cross, to which she responded with harrowing anticipation of the act, asking if he had shocked her. Rubin allegedly confirmed this but complained that his shocking device was “losing strength.”
Although some women had established a safe word for use during encounters with Rubin, he was reported to have ignored their pleas. Other victims were said to have been gagged to prevent objections, and in certain situations, he would continue the acts even if a woman passed out, prosecutors asserted.
In an additional unsettling claim, before an intended sexual encounter with two women, Rubin allegedly expressed a desire to “abuse” one of them for hours. “I don’t care if she screams,” he reportedly texted, alongside a laughing emoji, according to prosecutors.
During one violent interaction, a woman’s breast implant was reportedly ruined, and following her complaint, Rubin allegedly sent her a substantial sum of money to cover the repair costs, according to the indictment.
Furthermore, Rubin purportedly attempted to convince one of the women that rape is a natural occurrence, even referencing Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Additionally, he allegedly kept a collection of nondisclosure agreements in a safe that he forced women to sign.
Powers was reportedly key in recruiting women—primarily through social media—and arranging their travel to New York.
Most of the targeted women had connections to the adult modeling industry, as mentioned in a letter from prosecutors requesting Rubin’s detention.
After these transactions, Rubin or Powers allegedly compensated the victims via wire transfer, PayPal, or Venmo while carefully staggering the payments to keep each one below $10,000, allowing their activities to remain undetected, prosecutors added.
In total, it is estimated that Rubin may have spent over $1 million on the alleged sex trafficking operations.
Earlier claims against Rubin first emerged nearly a decade ago through civil lawsuits. It remains unclear why federal authorities have made advances in this case now.
Rubin’s wife, Mary J. Henry, filed for divorce in 2021 after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced from the civil suits.
Rubin, who has a storied history in finance—previously managing capital for Soros Fund Management and working at Salomon Brothers—was slated for an arraignment in Brooklyn Federal Court on Friday afternoon.
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Rubin and Powers, arrested in Texas, are both facing charges for sex trafficking and transporting women across state lines for sexual acts.
Additionally, Rubin has been charged with federal bank fraud for allegedly misrepresenting facts to a bank while financing Powers’ Texas mortgage, which she shared with her husband. In 2017, he was taken to civil court following allegations of violent sexual assaults by several women.
In 2022, he lost that case, with a jury awarding the seven plaintiffs substantial damages totaling approximately $4.47 million.
This February, the court approved the plaintiff’s request for Rubin to cover their legal expenses, which amounted to a hefty $4.8 million.
Rubin has appealed both judgments, which are still in progress, but was mandated to post bonds totaling nearly $10 million while these matters unfold.
Rubin’s defense attorney in the criminal case has not provided a comment as of yet.
