Former Trump Lawyer Blasts NYT Over $50M Pardon Speculation

Alina Mildon, formerly known as Alina Habba, has vehemently denied allegations that she was paid $50 million to facilitate a pardon for billionaire banker Julio Herrera Velutini. The former Trump lawyer took to social media to criticize The New York Times, calling the newspaper's reporting "pathetic" and "defamatory."

An article published by The New York Times on Tuesday suggested that Mildon, who recently took on the role of general counsel at Concord Partners—a company founded by Velutini's daughter Isabela Herrera—was hired to aid in Velutini's pursuit of a pardon. Herrera Velutini was pardoned by President Donald Trump in January for a misdemeanor campaign finance violation, just weeks after Mildon joined Concord Partners.

Mildon, who also goes by her maiden name Habba in her professional capacity, stated on X, formerly Twitter, that her employment was vetted and disclosed to the Department of Justice (DOJ). "Any insinuation that my employment had anything to do with securing a pardon is false and defamatory," she declared.

Mildon further accused the Times of using her maiden name for clicks and labeled the reporter an "activist 'journalist'" who has written "many hit pieces on me and my family." She described the timing of the report, close to an election, as an "October surprise."

Julio Herrera Velutini was charged in August 2022 for his alleged role in a scheme to bribe the former Governor of Puerto Rico, Wanda Vazquez, to dismiss a regulator investigating his bank. Velutini, Vazquez, and a former FBI agent consulted by Velutini initially pleaded not guilty to felony charges.

However, attorney Christopher M Kise negotiated a plea deal in August 2025, under which Velutini pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor campaign finance charge. Vazquez and the former FBI agent also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges.

According to The Times, Velutini, concerned about the lasting impact of the reduced charge, enlisted Kise, a former Florida solicitor general and member of Trump's legal team, to assist with a clemency application. Around the same period, Isabela Herrera reportedly donated $3.5 million to a super PAC associated with Trump.

Mildon finalized her employment agreement with Concord Partners just days after the company was registered, while she was still serving as a U.S. Attorney in New Jersey and as a senior advisor to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. In this role, she oversaw U.S. attorneys nationwide as a special government employee, a position allowing outside employment with conflict-of-interest restrictions.

Mildon resigned from her position as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey after a panel of federal judges ruled her appointment to the role was unlawful. She officially began working for Concord Partners on January 1, 2026. The pardon for Velutini was granted on January 15, 2026.

A spokesperson for the DOJ informed The Times that Mildon did not discuss any pardon with anyone. A White House official also stated that Mildon had no involvement in the president's decision to pardon Velutini, emphasizing that the administration adheres to a pardon review process involving the White House Counsel's Office and the DOJ. Mildon urged her supporters to focus on the accomplishments of the Trump administration and not be distracted by what she called "left wing media" tactics.