WASHINGTON: Alina Habba, a former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, is facing a professional ethics complaint in New Jersey over allegations that she mishandled a sexual harassment dispute involving a young employee at Trump’s private golf club.
The complaint, filed on Tuesday by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics, concerns Habba’s handling of a 2021 dispute involving a 21-year-old waitress, Alice Bianco, who worked at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
According to the disciplinary filing, Habba allegedly persuaded Bianco to dismiss her original lawyer and accept a $15,000 settlement over claims of sexual misconduct by her supervisor. State regulators allege that Habba failed to disclose her financial connections to the golf club and negotiated an agreement that inadequately compensated the employee while benefiting the establishment.
The complaint also raises questions about Habba’s professional role during the negotiations, alleging that she advised Bianco to stop communicating with her original attorney without adequately clarifying whether she was representing the employee or acting as a neutral intermediary.
New Jersey Ethics Complaint Raises Questions Over Settlement
The disciplinary proceedings centre on allegations that Bianco was encouraged to abandon independent legal representation and accept compensation that did not adequately reflect her claims.
Habba’s lawyer, Kim Ringler, said the allegations relate to conduct dating back more than five years and would be addressed through the formal disciplinary process.
If the allegations are established, Habba could face professional sanctions ranging from a formal reprimand to suspension or disbarment. The New Jersey Supreme Court has final authority over attorney disciplinary matters in the state.
The ethics complaint follows a separate legal dispute initiated by Bianco after she obtained new legal representation.
Lawsuit Against Trump Golf Club Ended in $400,000 Settlement
After initially accepting the $15,000 agreement, Bianco hired attorney Nancy Smith, who filed a lawsuit against Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in 2023.
The lawsuit argued that Bianco had been misled into accepting an unfair settlement and challenged the circumstances surrounding the original agreement.
Smith maintained that the initial compensation was substantially lower than what her client should have received. She also accused Habba of encouraging Bianco to dismiss her original attorney, accept inadequate compensation and sign a confidentiality agreement that Smith considered unlawful.
The subsequent legal dispute was resolved through a $400,000 settlement.
Smith has strongly criticised Habba’s alleged conduct, arguing that the circumstances warranted the most serious professional disciplinary consequences, including disbarment.
However, the ethics complaint remains subject to the disciplinary process, and the allegations have not yet been established as findings of professional misconduct.
Habba’s Previous Legal Role in the Trump Administration
The ethics proceedings add to the legal and professional scrutiny surrounding Habba, who previously served as Trump’s personal attorney and was later selected for a senior federal prosecutorial role in New Jersey.
Her appointment as the state’s top federal prosecutor was challenged in court. A federal judge subsequently ruled that the appointment was unlawful and restricted her authority to supervise cases.
Habba has also faced questions over a reported $50 million contract secured during her time at the US Justice Department. The arrangement reportedly involved the family of a Venezuelan banker who later received a presidential pardon.
Trump publicly criticised the arrangement in October, describing it as unacceptable. The contract was subsequently terminated.
Habba has denied receiving any payment in exchange for a presidential pardon. She has also maintained that she did not discuss the matter with officials at the White House or the Justice Department.
Disciplinary Proceedings Could Have Professional Consequences
The New Jersey ethics complaint now places Habba’s professional conduct under formal scrutiny, with the outcome potentially affecting her ability to practise law in the state.
The proceedings will examine the allegations surrounding her involvement in Bianco’s settlement, including questions about potential conflicts of interest, legal representation and the adequacy of the agreement.
For now, the complaint represents allegations brought by state regulators rather than a final disciplinary determination.
The case also highlights the professional obligations lawyers face when handling disputes involving potential conflicts of interest and vulnerable clients, particularly when their professional relationships may overlap with the interests of the parties involved.
