11 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:54 UTC · updated Sun, 01 Nov 2026 17:49 UTC
President Donald Trump criticized former lawyer Alina Habba Mildon for signing a contract worth more than $50 million with the family of Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini, whom Trump later pardoned. Trump called the deal 'totally obnoxious and outrageous' and said he did not want her to be paid. Mildon signed the four-year contract in October 2025 while serving as acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, a role she left in December after a court ruled her appointment unlawful. She then became a senior adviser to the attorney general and formally began working for Herrera's family on January 1, while still employed at the Justice Department. Trump granted Herrera a full presidential pardon on January 15. Herrera had faced federal bribery charges and a misdemeanor campaign finance violation. Mildon has denied working to secure the pardon or discussing it with anyone at the White House or Justice Department.
The contract was with a company owned by Herrera's family, guaranteeing Mildon over $50 million, including $10 million annually plus bonuses.
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