US President Donald Trump criticised his former lawyer Alina Habba Mildon for signing a $50 million contract with the family of a pardoned Venezuelan banker, after the lucrative agreement was signed while she worked as a federal prosecutor and Justice Department adviser.
The Financial Terms of the Concord Partners Contract
- Habba Mildon signed a four-year agreement in October 2025 with Concord Partners, a company owned by the family of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini.
- The contract guaranteed more than $50 million in total compensation, including an annual salary of $10 million plus bonuses.
- Trump publicly denounced the arrangement at his Mar-a-Lago club, telling reporters on Saturday that he considered the terms “totally obnoxious and outrageous.”
Employment Timeline and the Herrera Velutini Pardon
The contract originated while Habba Mildon served as the acting US attorney for New Jersey, a post to which Trump had appointed her following her tenure as his personal lawyer. She left that position in December after a court ruled she could not legally serve in the role, whereupon she transitioned to a position as a senior adviser to the attorney general within the US Department of Justice.
On January 1, 2026, Habba Mildon officially commenced her work for the banker’s family while maintaining her active employment inside the Justice Department. Two weeks later, on January 15, 2026, Trump issued a full presidential pardon to Herrera Velutini. The Venezuelan banker had faced federal bribery charges regarding allegations that he bribed former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced to remove a financial regulator investigating his bank, ultimately securing a plea deal in August 2025.
| Date | Event | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | Plea Deal Reached | Julio Herrera Velutini reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors regarding bribery charges. |
| October 2025 | Contract Signed | Alina Habba Mildon signed a four-year, $50 million contract with Concord Partners. |
| January 1, 2026 | Employment Begins | Habba Mildon began working for the banker’s family while still employed at the Justice Department. |
| January 15, 2026 | Presidential Pardon | Trump granted Herrera Velutini a full presidential pardon two weeks after employment commenced. |
Unclear Corporate Profiles and Public Denials
The arrangement drew scrutiny regarding potential conflicts of interest stemming from government employment and political ties. Concord Partners maintains no public profile, and its underlying business activities remain unclear, according to The New York Times. Habba Mildon has denied any involvement in securing the presidential pardon, stating last week that she was never paid to obtain a pardon, never discussed one with White House or Justice Department officials, and never worked to secure a pardon for anyone.
Trump expressed strong disapproval upon discovering the scale of the financial package. According to reports from The New York Times, Trump suggested to aides that Habba Mildon should donate a portion of the funds to his future presidential library or an affiliated organisation, and instructed at least one ally that Herrera Velutini’s family should halt remaining payments under the contract. Speaking in Florida, Trump characterized the situation as “terrible” and stated that he informed Habba Mildon he opposed her receiving the funds. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
