Alina Habba: the disqualified prosecutor and the millionaire she married

Alina Habba is back in headlines after a federal appeals court ruled that she was unlawfully appointed as New Jersey’s acting U.S. attorney, a decision that formally disqualifies her from the role and may affect numerous criminal cases in the state.

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The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the process used to install Ms Habba violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which governs how senior federal roles are filled. Judges concluded that the steps taken to place her in the top prosecutor’s position bypassed the law’s requirements, meaning she did not have the authority to serve in the post. The ruling upheld an earlier district court decision issued in August.

Ms Habba, 41, rose to national prominence as part of Donald Trump’s legal team. She joined his circle in 2021 after reportedly meeting him at his Bedminster golf club and went on to represent him in several high-profile matters, including his 2024 hush-money trial in New York. Before she was placed in the acting U.S. attorney role, Mr Trump had also announced that she would serve as a presidential counsellor in his second administration, calling her “unwavering in her loyalty” and a “tireless advocate for justice”.

Her personal life has drawn attention as well. Ms Habba married entrepreneur Gregg Reuben in 2020. He is the founder of Centerpark, a New York-based parking management company operating across the tri-state area, and is a Harvard Business School graduate with more than two decades of experience in the sector.

Mr Reuben has also been involved in a widely reported legal dispute. He filed a lawsuit against Manhattan jeweller Allurez, claiming he paid $93,000 for a seven-carat engagement ring he later believed was worth significantly less. The jeweller denied the allegation, calling it “mere puffery”.

The couple generally maintain a low public profile, sharing only occasional glimpses of their home life. Both have children from previous relationships. Ms Habba shares two children, Chloe and Luke, with her former husband, Matthew Eyet, who was a partner at her previous firm. Mr Reuben has a son, Parker.

As the Justice Department prepares to appoint new leadership for federal prosecutions in New Jersey, Ms Habba remains a prominent figure in Mr Trump’s orbit. Her professional setback, combined with her public profile and high-profile marriage, keeps her firmly in national conversation.

Aasiya Nazir