Trump Pardons Venezuelan Banker After Ally Hired for Millions
President Donald Trump granted a full pardon to billionaire Julio Herrera Velutini following a $50 million hiring deal for ally Alina Habba.
Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon to Julio Herrera Velutini, a Venezuelan billionaire banker, shortly after the banker's family hired Trump ally Alina Habba for a deal valued at over $50 million.
Herrera Velutini had previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation related to a scheme to bribe the Governor of Puerto Rico. To facilitate the pardon, his daughter, Isabela Herrera, donated $3.5 million to a Trump-tied super PAC and founded Concord Partners, a Florida-based company. Concord Partners hired Habba as general counsel with a guaranteed annual compensation package of $10 million plus bonuses.
The pardon was issued weeks after Habba formally began her employment with Concord Partners on January 1. Habba, a former U.S. attorney in New Jersey and senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, denies any role in securing the pardon. The United States Department of Justice stated that Habba did not discuss the matter with anyone.
