EXCLUSIVE Trump attorney Alina Habbas millionaire husband calls fraud over her $93K diamond ring
The husband of Donald Trumps lawyer Alina Habba claims he was scammed by a jeweler who allegedly charged him a whopping $78,000 over the market value for her engagement ring.
The husband of Donald Trumps lawyer Alina Habba claims he was scammed by a jeweler who allegedly charged him a whopping $78,000 over the market value for her engagement ring.
Gregg Reuben has been embroiled in an almost five-year legal battle with the famous Manhattan-based diamond district jeweler, Allurez, accusing them of selling him a 7-carat diamond for $93,000 when it was actually worth $15,000.
The millionaire husband of Habba, who has represented the president in a litany of lawsuits and who just scored a position as New Jerseys interim US Attorney, said that he bought the ring in 2020, the same year he got married to the superstar lawyer.
In the lawsuit, Reuben accused Allurez of fraud, unjust enrichment and false advertising and demanded the full $93,000 cost of the diamond to be returned to him - plus legal fees and $500,000 in damages.
The complaint was filed at the Manhattan Supreme Court by Michael Madaio, Habbas partner at their law firm based in Bedminster, New Jersey.
It is unclear if Reuben, a millionaire who runs a parking lot company in Manhattan, ever gave the ring to Habba before his suspicions were aroused about its authenticity.
But his complaint, filed in 2021, makes clear that he believes he was the victim of fraudulent and deceptive business practices and false advertising.
He cites the Allurez website which states that its jewels are often appraised for double their value.
The husband of Donald Trump s lawyer Alina Habba claims he was scammed by a jeweler who allegedly charged him a whopping $78,000 over the market value for an engagement ring
Donald and Melanie Trump posing with Alina Habba and her husband Gregg Reuben at her 44th birthday party at Mar-a-Lago
Reuben has been embroiled in an almost five-year legal battle with Manhattan-based Allurez, accusing them of selling him a 7-carat diamond for $93,000 when it was actually worth $15,000
The website states: We have been told by our customers that they were able to get the jewelry they purchased from us appraised for at least double the price they paid.
Our prices are low, and the quality of our jewelry is so high, that they can be easily appraised for at least double.
In reality, Allurez offers inferior quality diamonds, court papers claimed.
Reuben alleged that when he bought Habbas ring, he was given a certificate from a company called EGL Canada proving its worth.
But that is not the same as the respected EGL USA, a US-based certification company.
EGL Canada frequently overstates the value of jewels and is not in business any longer, the lawsuit states, adding that its producers were not supposed to be sold in America.
The EGL report stated that it was a 7.61-carat diamond with a G color grade, an excellent cut and an SI2 clarity grade.
In the lawsuit, Reuben included the analysis by GIA, another diamond grading company, which he commissioned himself after the purchase.
Reuben said he bought the engagement ring in 2020 and gave it to the superstar lawyer the same year they married
Reuben alleged that when he bought Habbas ring, he was given a certificate from a company called EGL Canada proving its worth, but the follow up GIA he had done showed the diamond was inferior to what the report had originally stated
The receipt showing what Reuben paid for the diamond engagement ring which totalled $93,250
In the lawsuit, Reuben accused Allurez of fraud, unjust enrichment and false advertising and demanded the full $93,000 cost of the diamond to be returned to him - plus legal fees and $500,000 in damages
The lawsuit alleges that the jewel wasnt even supposed to be on sale in the US and had Reuben known its real value, he would never have bought it
it said that the cut was only good and that the color was I2 and the clarity was L, both of which are inferior to the EGL report.
The lawsuit states: The color, cut, and clarity of a diamond significantly affect the diamonds value.
The difference in a single color or clarity grade can affect a diamonds per carat value by thousands of dollars.
The GIA valuation put the diamonds worth at just $15,240 which Reuben called a far cry from the $93,250 he says he paid for the gem.
The lawsuit alleges that the jewel wasnt even supposed to be on sale in the US and had Reuben known its real value, he would never have bought it.
Were it not for Defendants false, deceptive and misleading representations as to the size/weight and color of the diamond, the legitimacy of the certification and the overall quality of Allurezs products (Reuben) would not have purchased the ring.
In their response, lawyers for Allurez said that Reubens allegations were mere puffery.
They denied false advertising and said that they could not vouch for the assessment of the jewel by EGL Canada.
The GIA valuation put the diamonds worth at just $15,240 which Reuben called a far cry from the $93,250 he paid for the gem
In their response, lawyers for Allurez said that Reubens allegations were mere puffery. They denied false advertising and said that they could not vouch for the assessment of the jewel by EGL Canada
Allurezs lawyers asked for the case to be dismissed in a May 2021 filing, one of the latest in the case.
The most recent document in the lawsuit - which is still listed as active on the New York state court website - is from Reubens lawyers asking for an update from the court.
Habba and Reuben were married in 2020 in a private ceremony.
She has two children from her first marriage to Matthew Eyet - they were together from 2011 to 2019 - while Reuben has one child from his previous marriage.
Reuben is a Harvard Business School graduate and runs numerous car parking sites in Manhattan which have made him a millionaire.
Despite the drama surrounding the $93,000 diamond ring, Habba is moving up the ladder under President Trumps administration.
Trump announced on Monday to his Truth Social account that Habba, who had been working in the White House as his counselor, would serve as interim US Attorney in her home state of New Jersey - replacing John Giordano who is taking up the role as ambassador to Namibia.
Habba first met Trump at his Bedminster club in New Jersey in 2019. Soon after, she was brought in for an interview to join his legal team.
Habba first met Trump at his Bedminster club in New Jersey in 2019. Soon after, she was brought in for an interview to join his legal team
Trump announced on Monday to his Truth Social account that Habba, who had been working in the White House as his counselor, would serve as interim US Attorney of New Jersey
Gabba with her family, including her husband and two children from a different marriage
When she took a role with the administration years later, she left her husband and two children and stepson back in New Jersey, traveling between D.C. and her home state frequently for the two months of her tenure.
But Habbas high-profile job doesnt appear to interfere with her personal life, as the lawyer does not post about her husband or her family life on her social media platforms as frequently as she does about Trump-related matters.
In November 2022, she shared a picture of a bouquet of flowers on her Instagram page and wrote: Marry someone who buys you flowers to celebrate your first date.
In March last year she posted a photo of her and Reuben with the President and First Lady Melania Trump.
Another rare photo of Reuben followed on Instagram in January this year in a series of photos showing her first week in the White House.
In a podcast interview last year, she gave a rare insight into her marriage and said: Im not a feminist, I believe in strong women, but I want my door opened. Im very much an... old school woman.
When Im at home, I cook, I have a husband I respect, I know how to turn it on.
DailyMail.com contacted lawyers for Reuben and Allurez for comment.
Reached by phone, Allurez chief executive Raphi Mahgerefteh said he would look into the case but didnt call back.