Current The NXIVM "cult"

This story surfaced late last year, but I'd never heard of it or the people involved until a couple of months ago. Basically this NXIVM "cult" recruited young women, forced them into sexual slavery with the insidious leader Keith Raniere, and branded with his initials. His main sidekick appears to have been the actress Allison Mack. Here are a couple of articles from ABC news:

Smallville actress Allison Mack charged over alleged role in sex trafficking case

Updated the other day with the pre-trial hearing, and the likelihood of more arrests to come:

Smallville actress Allison Mack appears in court alongside NXIVM leader Keith Raniere

Authorities expect to make more arrests in the sex-trafficking investigation of a self-help group that has already resulted in charges against former Smallville actress Allison Mack and the group's leader, a prosecutor said.
 
Also the sex trafficking of children has been confirmed, apparently girls down to the ages of 12:

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Haven't really been following this lately, but there were more arrests from this case last week. I'll update with details.

Apologies for taking so long. Wealthy equestrian and philanthropist Clare Bronfman was arrested for being involved:

Bronfman was arrested by federal agents on July 24, 2018 in New York City and charged with money laundering and identity theft in connection with NXIVM activities, to which she pleaded not guilty in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn. She was released on $100 million bond and placed on house arrest with electronic monitoring. Also charged were Bronfman's long-time mentor and NXIVM president Nancy Salzman, her daughter, NXIVM executive board member Lauren Salzman, and former NXIVM bookkeeper Kathy Russell.
 
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This cult has been around for a lot longer than I'd thought, they seem to have flown under the radar somehow. I can't see really what their leader has got going for him but it was totally lost on me with Charles Manson and the Bagwan as well. Raniere is just a bit tidier and wears designer clothes.

Interested to see how Allison Mack fares in court, she's looking at fifteen years for sex trafficking. Already admitted prior to her arrest the branding with a laser was all her idea, she neglected to tell most of the women who fell for it they were being permanently scarred with hers and Raniere's initials.

Imagine if Harvey Weinstein had insisted all the women he slept with be branded.
 
Interested to see how Allison Mack fares in court, she's looking at fifteen years for sex trafficking. Already admitted prior to her arrest the branding with a laser was all her idea, she neglected to tell most of the women who fell for it they were being permanently scarred with hers and Raniere's initials.

Imagine if Harvey Weinstein had insisted all the women he slept with be branded.
They were branded the old fashioned way - using a red hot poker :eek:
 
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Whatever they used, it looks very untidy ... and hurt a lot

View attachment 576335


cauterize
To cauterize is to seal off a wound or incision by burning it or freezing it, usually with a hot iron, electricity, or chemicals. Metaphorically, cauterize means to make less sensitive to feelings and emotions.
 
and a guilty plea...


It's surprising how easily some people can be manipulated into criminal acts. Is she inherently evil or just fell into the wrong crowd? Apparently there are more important people (with political power) connected to this case so it will be interesting to see how far it goes.
 

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It's surprising how easily some people can be manipulated into criminal acts. Is she inherently evil or just fell into the wrong crowd? Apparently there are more important people (with political power) connected to this case so it will be interesting to see how far it goes.
Hopefully a plea deal for dumping on some of the "bigger fish."
 
Listening to the Uncover podcast, they believe this branding is a stylised version of the initials KR AM = Keith Raniere Alison Mack.

Listened to one the other day as well, I suspect it was on realising what the initials actually were and the deceit around it was what tipped one of them right over the edge into a crusade for revenge and accountability. I'd probably be the same, it's vile.
 

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Looks like some of the ladies are jumping ship getting their plea deals in leaving Raniere to face a jury on his own. He will do a lot of time I think.
I hope so. Amazing how fickle these "devout" followers become when it's time to save their own cans.
 
Raniere now on trial: Alleged sex cult NXIVM leader Keith Raniere tried in trafficking case linked to Smallville actress

Former self-help guru Keith Raniere was a "predator" who preyed on young women, including a 15-year-old girl, and turned them into sex slaves, a federal prosecutor told a jury at the start of his trial on Tuesday (local time). "The defendant took advantage of them emotionally and sexually," assistant US Attorney Tanya Hajjar said. Mr Raniere, 58, is accused of recruiting women to join his alleged cult, NXIVM (pronounced "nexium"), and then exercising total control over them — forcing them to have sex with him, restricting their diets and branding them with his initials. "No-one could challenge his authority," Ms Hajjar told jurors. Mr Raniere, who sat in the court room with his once-long hair cut short, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, child pornography and other crimes.
 

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Seems like Kirsten Gillibrand's (former name Tina Rutnik) father was contracted to this lot in 2004 Article
 
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