Alina Habba has denied playing any role in securing a pardon for Venezuelan billionaire Julio Herrera Velutini, after a report linked her to a proposed 50 million dollar, four-year employment deal with a company established by his daughter.
Habba, who served as a senior adviser to Attorney General Pam Bondi, rejected any suggestion that her employment was connected to the pardon granted by Donald Trump.
Writing on X, Mr Trump’s personal attorney said: “If the New York Times simply went back and looked at their own reporting, they have already credited another capable attorney for what he successfully did without me and took credit for.”
She added: “Any insinuation that my employment — all of which has been vetted and disclosed to the D.O.J. — had anything to do with securing a pardon is false and defamatory.”
The report said Habba began working for Concord Partners, a newly formed entity established by Isabela Herrera, Mr Velutini’s daughter. The company has not yet developed a public profile and its business is reportedly unclear.
Mr Velutini had faced felony bribery charges before pleading down to a misdemeanor campaign finance violation. His legal team subsequently sought a pardon, according to the report.
The reported employment agreement was finalised while Habba was serving as a senior adviser to Ms Bondi. She began working for Concord Partners on January 1, and Mr Velutini received his pardon from President Trump weeks later.
Ms Herrera had previously donated 3.5 million dollars to a pro-Trump super PAC. Habba has consistently denied having any involvement in the pardon.
