Disciplinary Action Initiated

New Jersey’s Office of Attorney Ethics has launched a formal disciplinary proceeding against Alina Habba, a former legal counsel for Donald Trump. The 23-page complaint alleges a series of professional lapses concerning her involvement in a 2021 sexual harassment claim brought by a former employee at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Allegations of Conflict and Misconduct

The regulatory filing outlines several critical accusations against Habba, including the failure to maintain proper financial records and the creation of significant conflicts of interest. The case centers on Alice Bianco, a 21-year-old waitress who alleged that her supervisor had subjected her to unwanted sexual advances and coercion. According to the ethics board, Habba engaged in direct communication with the complainant, allegedly pressuring her to abandon her legal counsel and effectively isolating her during the negotiation process.

The $15,000 Settlement Controversy

  • Habba reportedly facilitated a $15,000 settlement that included a nondisclosure agreement deemed legally problematic by the ethics watchdog.
  • Regulators argue the agreement was heavily skewed in favor of the golf club, undermining the victim's legal standing.
  • The complaint highlights that Habba’s status as a high-paying member of the club created an inherent conflict of interest, as she held an implied attorney-client relationship with the victim while serving the interests of the club.

The situation eventually escalated when Bianco retained new representation, leading to a subsequent $400,000 settlement paid by the club and Habba. While Donald Trump has publicly distanced himself from the underlying allegations of harassment, the ethics complaint remains focused squarely on Habba’s procedural and ethical conduct.

Broader Professional Turmoil

This disciplinary action coincides with reports that Habba has been dismissed from her role as general counsel at Concord Partners, a firm linked to Venezuelan banker Julio Herrera Velutini. Despite signing a lucrative four-year contract valued at over $50 million, the arrangement faced public scrutiny from Trump himself, who described the deal as unacceptable. Habba continues to maintain that she played no part in the presidential pardon granted to Herrera earlier this year.