Relief after arrest of alleged BDSM sex trafficker Howard Rubin, victims say

A retired New York financier and longtime former associate of George Soros' investment firm was arrested Friday on charges including sex trafficking, according to the Brooklyn US Attorney's Office. Prosecutors allege Howard Rubin lured dozens of women to New York City between 2009 and 2019, taking them to a Midtown penthouse described by investigators as a BDSM dungeon where they were bound, gagged, beaten and, in some cases, subjected to electric shocks. Rubin, 70, who has been tied to a high-profile world of finance and philanthropy in the city, pleaded not guilty at a Friday court appearance and was ordered held without bail.

Two accusers told The Post that Rubin’s arrest brought a sense of closure after years of waiting. One, who requested anonymity, said, “Relief. Relief. After eight years, finally a breath of relief.” The same source noted that Rubin, known to colleagues as “Howie” or “H,” was said to be worth tens of millions of dollars. Prosecutors say Rubin lured women to the city, where they were drugged and subjected to “torture-like” sexual encounters. Investigators allege that Rubin and his assistant, Jennifer Powers, who also faces sex-trafficking charges, discussed in text messages how they would handle victims, including an exchange in which they laughed about electrocuting a tied-up woman.

Mia Lytell and Amy Moore, both described in court papers as Playboy Playmates, and a third woman identified as Stephanie Caldwell, were named among Rubin’s alleged victims. The FBI and prosecutors say dozens of other women were recruited for sexual encounters with Rubin, and that at least 10 others helped facilitate the scheme.

The civil actions against Rubin provide a backdrop to the criminal case. In 2017, three Florida women filed civil lawsuits accusing him of violent sexual assaults; those suits preceded the criminal case and informed the public’s understanding of the alleged conduct. Rubin’s personal life has also drawn scrutiny: he and his wife of many years, Mary Henry, who is identified in public records as his ex-wife, separated in 2021. The couple has three children.

Prosecutors say Rubin admitted to flying women across state lines and paying them upwards of $5,000 for sexual encounters. Authorities believe the investigation believes there were “dozens” of other victims who were recruited to participate in the scheme, and that Rubin’s network included at least 10 individuals who helped facilitate the activities. Rubin appeared in court in a not-guilty plea and remained detained without bail as the case moves forward; prosecutors have indicated that the arrest came after civil litigation, a strategic move described in court filings as a way to preserve Rubin’s potential testimony for use in the criminal case.

Observers note the arrest comes amid a broader national push to pursue high-profile cases involving sex trafficking and abuse. While the criminal case unfolds, victims and advocates say the timing leaves important questions about accountability and the pace of justice. One accuser emphasized the emotional toll of waiting for answers while watching other cases unfold more quickly, underscoring the frustration felt by survivors who say they were marginalized or dismissed for years.

Rubin’s arrest underscores the complexity of prosecuting sophisticated sex-trafficking networks that operate across state lines. Prosecutors have described Rubin as a powerful figure who led a sophisticated enterprise, sometimes marketed through social circles that included prominent business figures. While Rubin has pleaded not guilty, the proceedings will hinge on the testimony of witnesses who were recruited by him and who say they were subjected to drugging and coercive sexual practices. The case is expected to draw public attention to the mechanisms by which such operations can operate over long periods, and the challenges survivors face in seeking justice.

In a separate thread of coverage, investigators and legal observers note that civil actions often intersect with criminal investigations in cases like Rubin’s. The dynamic can affect the pacing of arrests and the availability of critical testimony. The federal case filed in Brooklyn marks a pivotal moment for Rubin’s accusers, many of whom have waited years for accountability. As prosecutors move forward, they have signaled that the investigation remains active and that additional charges could follow as more victims come forward and as evidence is reviewed.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about sexual violence and the vulnerabilities of individuals who may be drawn into coercive situations by people in positions of financial or social influence. Victims who spoke to The Post emphasized the importance of accountability and the long arc of justice, even as preliminary steps in the criminal process begin. Rubin’s defense team has indicated they will vigorously contest the charges as the case progresses, and the next court dates will determine how the proceedings unfold in the coming months.