The ex-wife of a former Wall Street tycoon charged with sex trafficking and prostitution has begged for him to be released on bail by insisting he is a ‘devoted grandfather’.
Howard Rubin, 71, allegedly lured women into a soundproofed ‘sex dungeon‘ in a penthouse near New York’s Central Park, where he ‘engaged in conduct beyond the scope of the women’s consent,’ according to his indictment.
His personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, 45, was also indicted for allegedly transporting women for sex acts with Rubin.
Rubin has been in custody in Sunset Park’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest, but on Thursday his legal team asked a district judge to be release him on a $50 million bond.
The motion, which was almost 100 pages in length, included a letter from his ex-wife, Mary Henry, who insisted he is not a flight risk.
‘I understand far too well the serious charges before the Court,’ Henry wrote in her letter to New York District Judge Brian Cogan.
‘I can only speak from my own experience when I say they do not represent the Howie Rubin I saw: a caring father, a loving son-in-law, and devoted grandfather known affectionately as “Pops.”‘
The couple married in 1985 and have been divorced since 2001.
The ex-wife of a former Wall Street tycoon Howard Rubin, who is charged with sex trafficking and prostitution, has begged for him to be released on bail by insisting he is a ‘devoted grandfather’
Mary Henry said in her letter to the judge that even though she and her husband lived separate lives, they still co-parented their children and grandchildren
Jennifer Powers, 45, was also arrested for sex trafficking charges for allegedly helping to transport and recruit the women for sex acts with Rubin
Henry described Rubin as an intelligent, quick-witted, and kind man whom she fell in love with while in graduate school.
She painted the picture of a successful businessman and loving father who earned a reputation as a ‘nice’ trader on Wall Street.
Henry detailed the relationship Rubin had with her mother, noting that she wasn’t alive to see her ex’s shocking arrest.
‘I was shocked and angered by the news of Howie’s arrest just as I was by the news of his civil suit almost eight years ago,’ Henry continued.
‘Although I realized my marriage was over many years ago, in both 2017 and 2025, my thoughts immediately turned to my children who I knew would be devastated by the news of their father whom they always loved and admired.’
Henry spoke of their three adopted children and how Rubin retired at the age of 44 to help raise them.
‘Howie was well known as a most devoted parent among teachers, family, adult friends, and the friends of his children,’ she added.
‘Through it all, the children always knew they were deeply loved and supported by their father. He has been a constant, unwavering presence in their lives.’
Powers (pictured with husband Steve) was arrested at her home in Texas and arraigned in New York for her alleged role in the sex trafficking scheme. She denies the charges
Henry said that even though she understood the charges against her ex-husband, she believed that he wouldn’t abandon his family
Rubin’s ex-wife and daughter praised him in letters to a judge for his role as a father and grandfather
She went on to say that although the two live separate lives, they’ve maintained a relationship as co-parents and grandparents.
Henry maintained that her ex would ‘never’ abandon his family and believed that he wouldn’t flee if released on bond.
Rubin’s daughter, Annalee, also wrote a letter to the judge in support of her father. She wrote about his help with her three children, including a detailed schedule of how he supports her family.
‘To our family, he has been an extraordinary source of love, stability, and support,’ Annalee wrote.
‘I respectfully ask the Court to consider these qualities of my father—the caring, dependable, and engaged grandfather I know—when evaluating his case.’
Annalee described her father as ‘devoted’ and ‘loving,’ recalling a moment where he dressed up as a character from Frozen to make her children smile.
Rubin’s brothers, Jonathan and Kenneth, his niece Molly, his landlord Denise, his former Harvard roommate Michael, Annalee’s partner Eli, a neighbor, and a dance teacher also wrote letters in support.
Rubin’s ex-wife and his brother put up their million-dollar homes for collateral. Henry and Annalee also offered to co-sign his $50 million bond.
Henry said she fell for Rubin at graduate school, describing him as an intelligent, quick-witted, and kind man
Rubin faces sex trafficking charges for allegedly coercing former Playboy models to his ‘sex dungeon’ in Manhattan, according to his indictment
The former financier has been accused of trafficking former Playboy models and other women to Manhattan from 2009 to 2019.
‘During many of these encounters, Rubin brutalized women’s bodies, causing them to fear for their safety and/or resulting in significant pain or injuries, which at times required women to seek medical attention,’ the indictment alleges.
Rubin and Powers were accused of spending at least $1 million to operate the sex trafficking network, and allegedly transported women out of state, including to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Rubin allegedly gave the models a ‘safe word,’ but disregarded it when the acts continued and was allegedly violent with the women without their consent.
One occasion described in the indictment detailed that Rubin allegedly hit a woman so hard that her breast implant flipped upside down.
After the encounters, Rubin and Powers allegedly paid the women $5,000 if he was ‘satisfied,’ through wire transfer, PayPal, or Venmo, according to the indictment.
Powers was arrested at her home in Texas and was arraigned in New York. She was released on a $850,000 bond on September 29 and has pleaded not guilty.
Rubin has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The motion to modify his bail was referred to a magistrate judge. The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York didn’t comment on the motion.
The Daily Mail reached out to Rubin’s representation for additional comment.