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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Brendan Rascius

A billionaire paid Trump’s lawyer $50 million and was pardoned shortly after

Donald Trump Alina Habba Julio Herrera Velutini White House
  • President Donald Trump granted an unconditional pardon to Venezuelan billionaire banker Julio Herrera Velutini following a campaign finance conviction.
  • Herrera's family hired Trump's former attorney Alina Habba under a proposed deal worth up to $50 million as general counsel for a firm established by Herrera's wife.
  • Habba accepted the contract while serving as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey prior to resigning after her appointment was ruled unlawful.
  • Habba and White House officials denied any link between her hiring and the presidential pardon secured by Herrera.
  • The report comes as Habba faces separate scrutiny in a White House investigation into an alleged pay-for-influence donation scandal.

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