16 October 2025

25 minutes

Available for over a year

Retired New York financier Howard Rubin has been charged with sex trafficking multiple women, including Playboy models.

Prosecutors allege the women were sexually and physically assaulted in a Manhattan penthouse in a soundproofed room described as “The Dungeon”.

Rubin’s former assistant Jennifer Powers is charged as a co-conspirator.

They have both pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Host Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and resident trial attorney Shaun Kent assess the case and discuss why the prosecution have revealed the more shocking allegations in a letter recommending Rubin be denied bail.

This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual and physical violence. If you are affected by anything in the programme, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Got questions? Send us a Whatsapp message on 0330 678 111 4.

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Host: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty

Series Producer: Vicky Farncombe

Senior Impact Producer: Melanie Stewart-Smith

Production Coordinator: Tammy Snow

Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards

Editor: Clare Fordham

Assistant Commissioning Producer: Rechmial Miller

Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland

Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts