Jump to content

NXIVM: Difference between revisions

Page protected with pending changes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
[accepted revision][accepted revision]
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Reverted 1 pending edit by 24.84.44.172 to revision 985897194 by 2601:198:100:BCE0:9975:86C9:1E5:BDB5: rv; source clearly states child pornography
→NXIVM: Fixed grammar
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit Android app edit
Line 21: Line 21:
}}
}}


'''NXIVM''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɛ|k|s|i|ə|m}} {{respell|NEKS|ee|əm}}) is a self-described American [[multi-level marketing]] company<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vox.com/2018/4/25/17275930/allison-mack-smallville-actress-sex-cult-nxivm-dos-prison-arrest-sex-trafficking-keith-raniere |title= Seagram's heiress arrested for role in controversial "sex cult" |first= Tara Isabella |last= Burton |date =April 25, 2018 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> based in [[Clifton Park, New York]], a suburb of [[Albany, New York]], which offers [[personal development|personal]] and [[professional development|professional]] development [[seminar]]s through its "Executive Success Programs" of [[large-group awareness training]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Courtney|last=Shea|title=How Nxivm Targeted Women |url=https://www.chatelaine.com/living/nxivm/|date=February 8, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Chatelaine}}</ref> The company has been widely described as a [[cult]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/|title=How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam|last1=Dickson|first1=E. J.|date=October 8, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US|access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> and is alleged to have been a recruiting platform for a [[secret society]] (variously called "DOS" or "The Vow") in which women were [[Human branding|branded]] and forced into [[sexual slavery]].
'''NXIVM''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|ɛ|k|s|i|ə|m}} {{respell|NEKS|ee|əm}}) is a self-proclaimed American [[multi-level marketing]] company<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vox.com/2018/4/25/17275930/allison-mack-smallville-actress-sex-cult-nxivm-dos-prison-arrest-sex-trafficking-keith-raniere |title= Seagram's heiress arrested for role in controversial "sex cult" |first= Tara Isabella |last= Burton |date =April 25, 2018 |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> based in [[Clifton Park, New York]], a suburb of [[Albany, New York]], which offers [[personal development|personal]] and [[professional development|professional]] development [[seminar]]s through its "Executive Success Programs" of [[large-group awareness training]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Courtney|last=Shea|title=How Nxivm Targeted Women |url=https://www.chatelaine.com/living/nxivm/|date=February 8, 2019|access-date=September 7, 2020|website=Chatelaine}}</ref> The company has been widely described as a [[cult]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/nxivm-keith-raniere-wellness-scam-sex-cult-848439/|title=How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam|last1=Dickson|first1=E. J.|date=October 8, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US|access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref> and is alleged to have been a recruiting platform for a [[secret society]] (variously called "DOS" or "The Vow") in which women were [[Human branding|branded]] and forced into [[sexual slavery]].


In early 2018, NXIVM's founder, [[Keith Raniere]], and his associate, actress [[Allison Mack]], were arrested and [[indictment|indicted]] on federal charges related to DOS, including [[Sex trafficking in the United States|sex trafficking]].<ref name="NBCNY20180326">{{cite web |website=[[WNBC|NBC 4 New York]] |url= https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Leader-of-Secret-Upstate-New-York-Group-Charged-with-Sex-Trafficking-477966643.html |title= Leader of NY Group Branded Women, Made Them Sex Slaves: Feds |date= March 26, 2018 |accessdate= April 21, 2018}}</ref> Others associated with NXIVM were also charged with federal crimes. {{As of|2019|April|df=}}, five people associated with NXIVM—Mack, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, Lauren Salzman, [[Seagram]] heiress [[Clare Bronfman]], and bookkeeper Kathy Russell—had pleaded guilty to various charges.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47996207 |title= Nxivm: Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman pleads guilty in 'sex cult' case |website=[[BBC News]] |date= April 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.thecut.com/2019/04/the-most-disturbing-details-from-the-nxivm-sex-cult-case.html |title= The Most Disturbing Details From the NXIVM Sex-Cult Case |website= [[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]|date= April 19, 2019 |last= Arnold |first= Amanda |accessdate= April 20, 2019}}</ref> Raniere was convicted in federal court of sex trafficking and [[racketeering]] on June 19, 2019.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/nyregion/nxivm-trial-verdict.html |title= Nxivm Trial: Leader Convicted After Trial Exposed Sex Cult's Sordid Inner Workings |last= Moynihan |first= Colin |date= June 19, 2019 |work= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= June 19, 2019 |issn= 0362-4331 | quote = On Wednesday, jurors in Federal District Court in Brooklyn sided with prosecutors. They found Keith Raniere, the leader of the cultlike group near Albany known as Nxivm, guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, ending a six-week trial that exposed the sordid inner workings of the organization.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/19/nxivm-cult-leader-keith-reniere-found-fuilty-sex-trafficking-case/|title= He told women he could help. Instead, he branded them with his initials and made them sex slaves.|first= Reis |last= Thebault |newspaper= [[The Washington Post]]|date= June 19, 2019}}</ref> On September 30, 2020, Clare Bronfman became the first defendant sentenced in the case, when she was ordered to serve six years and nine months in federal prison.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Hong|first=Nicole|date=2020-09-30|title=Clare Bronfman Is Sentenced to 81 Months in Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Case|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/nyregion/clare-bronfman-nxivm-keith-raniere-sentence.html |access-date=2020-09-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In early 2018, NXIVM's founder, [[Keith Raniere]], and his associate, actress [[Allison Mack]], were arrested and [[indictment|indicted]] on federal charges related to DOS, including [[Sex trafficking in the United States|sex trafficking]].<ref name="NBCNY20180326">{{cite web |website=[[WNBC|NBC 4 New York]] |url= https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Leader-of-Secret-Upstate-New-York-Group-Charged-with-Sex-Trafficking-477966643.html |title= Leader of NY Group Branded Women, Made Them Sex Slaves: Feds |date= March 26, 2018 |accessdate= April 21, 2018}}</ref> Others associated with NXIVM were also charged with federal crimes. {{As of|2019|April|df=}}, five people associated with NXIVM—Mack, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, Lauren Salzman, [[Seagram]] heiress [[Clare Bronfman]], and bookkeeper Kathy Russell—had pleaded guilty to various charges.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47996207 |title= Nxivm: Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman pleads guilty in 'sex cult' case |website=[[BBC News]] |date= April 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.thecut.com/2019/04/the-most-disturbing-details-from-the-nxivm-sex-cult-case.html |title= The Most Disturbing Details From the NXIVM Sex-Cult Case |website= [[The Cut (website)|The Cut]]|date= April 19, 2019 |last= Arnold |first= Amanda |accessdate= April 20, 2019}}</ref> Raniere was convicted in federal court of sex trafficking and [[racketeering]] on June 19, 2019.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/19/nyregion/nxivm-trial-verdict.html |title= Nxivm Trial: Leader Convicted After Trial Exposed Sex Cult's Sordid Inner Workings |last= Moynihan |first= Colin |date= June 19, 2019 |work= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= June 19, 2019 |issn= 0362-4331 | quote = On Wednesday, jurors in Federal District Court in Brooklyn sided with prosecutors. They found Keith Raniere, the leader of the cultlike group near Albany known as Nxivm, guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, ending a six-week trial that exposed the sordid inner workings of the organization.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/19/nxivm-cult-leader-keith-reniere-found-fuilty-sex-trafficking-case/|title= He told women he could help. Instead, he branded them with his initials and made them sex slaves.|first= Reis |last= Thebault |newspaper= [[The Washington Post]]|date= June 19, 2019}}</ref> On September 30, 2020, Clare Bronfman became the first defendant sentenced in the case, when she was ordered to serve six years and nine months in federal prison.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Hong|first=Nicole|date=2020-09-30|title=Clare Bronfman Is Sentenced to 81 Months in Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Case|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/nyregion/clare-bronfman-nxivm-keith-raniere-sentence.html |access-date=2020-09-30|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:04, 29 October 2020

NXIVM Corporation
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryMulti-level marketing; personal development
Founded1998
FounderKeith Raniere
Nancy Salzman Edit this on Wikidata
HeadquartersClifton Park, New York, New York, U.S.
Key people
Keith Raniere (co-founder, leader)
Nancy Salzman (co-founder, president)
Allison Mack (recruiter, leader)
Clare Bronfman (funder, leader)[1]
ProductsPersonal-growth seminars
Websitenxivm.com (Archived)

NXIVM (/ˈnɛksiəm/ NEKS-ee-əm) is a self-proclaimed American multi-level marketing company[2] based in Clifton Park, New York, a suburb of Albany, New York, which offers personal and professional development seminars through its "Executive Success Programs" of large-group awareness training.[3] The company has been widely described as a cult,[4] and is alleged to have been a recruiting platform for a secret society (variously called "DOS" or "The Vow") in which women were branded and forced into sexual slavery.

In early 2018, NXIVM's founder, Keith Raniere, and his associate, actress Allison Mack, were arrested and indicted on federal charges related to DOS, including sex trafficking.[5] Others associated with NXIVM were also charged with federal crimes. As of April 2019, five people associated with NXIVM—Mack, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, Lauren Salzman, Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman, and bookkeeper Kathy Russell—had pleaded guilty to various charges.[6][7] Raniere was convicted in federal court of sex trafficking and racketeering on June 19, 2019.[8][9] On September 30, 2020, Clare Bronfman became the first defendant sentenced in the case, when she was ordered to serve six years and nine months in federal prison.[10]

After Raniere's conviction, he continued to direct loyalists from behind bars, encouraging continued recruitment.[11][12] At his direction, members of the group have regularly danced outside Raniere's jail and staged coordinated protests of individual prosecutors. In September 2020, it was estimated about 50 to 60 people remained "very loyal" to Raniere, who was sentenced to 120 years in prison in October 2020.[13][14]

History

Before founding NXIVM, Raniere created Consumers Buyline, a business venture that the New York Attorney General accused of having been a pyramid scheme; Raniere signed a consent order in 1996 in which he denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to pay a $40,000 fine and to be permanently banned from "promoting, offering or granting participation in a chain distribution scheme".[15]

Founding and initial success

In 1998, Raniere and Nancy Salzman founded NXIVM, a personal development company[16] offering "Executive Success Programs" and a range of techniques for self-improvement.[17][18][19] Raniere claimed that the programs' "main emphasis is to have people experience more joy in their lives."[18]

During NXIVM seminars, students were expected to call Raniere and Salzman "Vanguard" and "Prefect", respectively.[20][21][22] The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Raniere "adopted the title 'Vanguard' from a favorite arcade game… in which the destruction of one's enemies increased one's own power."[23] Within the organization, the reasoning for the titles was that Raniere was the leader of a philosophical movement and Salzman was his first student.[19]

By 2003, 3,700 people had taken part in ESP classes, reportedly including businesswoman Sheila Johnson, former Surgeon General Antonia Novello, Enron executive Stephen Cooper, and Ana Cristina Fox, daughter of former Mexican president Vicente Fox.[24] Other participants were reported to include entrepreneur Richard Branson (who denied having taken the classes[25][26]), Edgar Bronfman Sr.,[27] and actresses Linda Evans, Grace Park, and Nicki Clyne.[28][29] In the early 2000s, Seagram heiresses Clare and Sara Bronfman, daughters of Edgar Bronfman Sr., became attached to the organization.[29][19]

Cult allegations in early 2000s

NXIVM's training is a trade secret, subject to non-disclosure agreements, but reportedly uses a technique the organization calls "rational inquiry" to facilitate personal and professional development. In 2003, NXIVM sued the Ross Institute in the case known as NXIVM Corp. v. Ross Institute, alleging copyright infringement for publishing excerpts of content from its manual in three critical articles commissioned by cult investigator Rick Alan Ross and posted on his website.[30][31][32] Ross posted a psychiatrist's assessment of NXIVM's "secret" manual on his website that called the regimen "expensive brainwashing". Ross obtained the manual from former member Stephanie Franco, a co-defendant in the trial, who had signed a non-disclosure agreement not to divulge information from the manual to others. NXIVM filed suits in both New York and New Jersey, but both were dismissed.[28][33]

In October 2003, Forbes published an article on NXIVM and Raniere.[24] Vanity Fair subsequently reported of the article: "People at NXIVM were stunned. Expecting a positive story, the top ranks had spoken to Forbes, including Raniere, Salzman, and Sara Bronfman. What upset them above all were Edgar Bronfman’s remarks. "I think it’s a cult," He told the magazine, going on to say that he was troubled about the "emotional and financial" investment in NXIVM by his daughters, to whom he had not spoken in months.[24] In 2006, Forbes published an article about the Bronfman sisters, stating that they had taken out a line of credit to loan NXIVM $2 million, repayable through personal training sessions and phone consultations with Salzman.[34] Another Forbes article in 2010 discussed the failures of commodities and real estate deals by the Bronfmans made on Raniere's advice.[35]

2006–2015

After actress Kristin Kreuk became involved with NXIVM in 2006, Salzman and her daughter Lauren went to Vancouver, British Columbia, to recruit Kreuk's Smallville co-star Allison Mack.[23] The younger Salzman (herself a junior NXIVM leader)[19] bonded with Mack, and the latter became involved,[23] though Kreuk subsequently left NXIVM.[36] Mack became "an enthusiastic proselytizer" for NXIVM, persuading her parents to take courses, and, after wrapping production of Smallville in 2011, moved to Clifton Park, New York, near NXIVM's home base in Albany.[23]

In 2008, the Bronfman sisters allegedly pressured Stephen Herbits, a confidant of their father, to ask Albany County District Attorney David Soares, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, and New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram to open criminal investigations into NXIVM's critics. NXIVM reportedly kept dossiers on Soares, Spitzer, political consultant Roger Stone, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and Albany Times Union publisher George Randolph Hearst III in a box in the basement of Nancy Salzman's home.[37] According to the Times Union, NXIVM "developed a reputation for aggressively pursuing critics and defectors who broke from its ranks, including using litigation to punish critics of Raniere, the organization, or its training methods."[38]

The World Ethical Foundations Consortium, an organization co-founded by Raniere and the Bronfman sisters, sponsored a visit to Albany by the 14th Dalai Lama in 2009. The visit was initially canceled due to negative press about NXIVM,[39] but was rescheduled; the Dalai Lama spoke at Albany's Palace Theatre in May 2009.[40] In 2017, Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the self-styled "Personal Emissary for Peace for the Dalai Lama" who had arranged the appearance, was suspended from his position amid corruption charges; the investigation also revealed a personal relationship between Dhonden and Sara Bronfman, which began in 2009.[41]

NXIVM has been described as a pyramid scheme,[42][43][44][17] a sex-trafficking operation,[45] a cult,[46][47][48] and a sex cult.[49] In a 2010 Times Union article, former NXIVM coaches characterized students as "prey" for Raniere's sexual or gambling-related proclivities.[50] Kristin Keeffe, a longtime partner of Raniere and mother of his child, left the group in 2014 and called Raniere "dangerous", saying, "[a]ll the worst things you know about NXIVM are true."[51]

In 2014, Raniere founded the NXIVM-affiliated news organization The Knife of Aristotle,[52] later known as The Knife and The Knife Media.[53][54] The Knife of Aristotle was subsequently described as a fake news website and a cult.[55] The organization also reportedly hired journalists in an attempt to gain media support and solicit new members to NXIVM, as well as fabricating staff members.[55][56][57]

Media investigations of DOS

Starting with reports by investigative journalist Frank Parlato in June 2017[58] and bolstered by an October 2017 New York Times article, details began to emerge about Dominus Obsequious Sororium, a "secret sisterhood" within NXIVM, in which female members were allegedly called slaves, branded with the initials of Raniere and Mack, subjected to corporal punishment from their "masters", and required to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information about themselves as "collateral".[44][18][59][60][17] Law enforcement representatives have alleged that DOS members were forced into sexual slavery.[61]

Sarah Edmondson, a Canadian actress who had been an ESP participant since 2005, said that she left NXIVM after Mack inducted her into DOS the previous March at her Albany home. Edmondson alleged that participants were blindfolded naked, held down by Mack and three other women, and branded by NXIVM-affiliated doctor Danielle Roberts, using a cauterizing pen.[44][18][62][63][23] Appearing on an A&E television program about cults, Edmondson provided additional context for the use of the "collateral" concept, saying that it was used in innocuous forms from the earliest, outermost stages of NXIVM in order to acclimate victims—for example, collateralizing small amounts of money that one might forfeit if one did not go to the gym one day.[18][19] The Times later reported that hundreds of members left NXIVM after Edmondson went public about her experience.[19]

On December 15, 2017, the ABC newsmagazine 20/20 aired an exposé featuring interviews with many former NXIVM adherents, including Edmondson and Catherine Oxenberg, who alleged that her daughter, India Oxenberg, was in danger due to the group. Several former members reported financial and sexual predation by NXIVM leaders.[44][59][64] Edmondson was further featured in "Escaping NXIVM", during the first season of the CBC podcast Uncover.[65]

Seven socially prominent Mexicans, including Emilio Salinas Occelli (son of former president Carlos Salinas de Gortari) and Ana Cristina Fox (daughter of former president Vicente Fox), Rosa Laura Junco, Loreta Garza Dávila (a business leader from Nuevo Leon), Daniela Padilla, Camila, and Mónica Durán, have been accused of involvement, according to a New York Times article published on May 26, 2019.[66]

Criminal prosecutions and convictions

In March 2018, Raniere was arrested and indicted on charges related to DOS, including sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor.[5][67] He was arrested in Mexico and held in custody in New York after appearing in federal court in Fort Worth, Texas.[68] The indictment alleged that at least one woman was coerced into sex with Raniere, who forced DOS members to undergo the branding ritual alleged by Edmondson and others.[69][70] United States Attorney Richard Donoghue stated that Raniere "created a secret society of women whom he had sex with and branded with his initials, coercing them with the threat of releasing their highly personal information and taking their assets."[17]

On April 20, 2018, Mack was arrested and indicted on similar charges to Raniere's. According to prosecutors, after she recruited women into first NXIVM and then DOS, Mack coerced them into engaging in sexual activity with Raniere and performing menial tasks, for which Raniere allegedly paid her.[23] Mack was further alleged to be NXIVM's second-in-command after Raniere.[23][36][71][72][73] On April 24, Mack was released on $5 million bond pending trial and held under house arrest with her parents in California.[74][75] On May 4, Raniere pleaded not guilty.[76]

Salzman's home was raided shortly after Raniere's arrest,[17] and prosecutors stated during his arraignment that further arrests and a superseding indictment for Raniere and Mack should be expected.[77][78] In late May, authorities moved to seize two NXIVM-owned properties near Albany.[79]

In April 2018, the New York Post reported that NXIVM had moved to Brooklyn, New York, and was being led by Clare Bronfman.[80] On June 12, 2018, the Times Union reported that NXIVM had suspended its operations due to "extraordinary circumstances facing the company".[81] Bronfman was arrested on July 24 and charged with racketeering. She was released to house arrest after signing a $100 million bail bond. Also arrested and charged with the same crime were NXIVM President Nancy Salzman; her daughter, Lauren Salzman; and another NXIVM employee, Kathy Russell.[82][83]

On March 13, 2019, Nancy Salzman pleaded guilty to a charge of racketeering criminal conspiracy.[84][85][86] Also in March 2019, Lauren Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.[87] On April 8, 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering.[88] On April 19, 2019, Bronfman pleaded guilty to charges of harboring an alien and identity fraud; bookkeeper Russell also pleaded guilty to visa fraud.[89]

Raniere's federal trial began on May 7, 2019.[90] On June 19, 2019, he was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking.[8]

In January 2020, a federal lawsuit was filed in New York accusing Raniere and 14 associates of conducting illegal psychological experiments on members of the company and abusing them physically, emotionally and financially.[91]

On September 30, 2020, Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York sentenced Bronfman to six years and nine months in federal prison; her attorney promised to appeal, calling the sentence "an abomination."[10]

Beliefs and practices

NXIVM founder Keith Raniere

In NXIVM classes, rank was displayed through colored sashes, similar to colored belts in martial arts.[92]

NXIVM featured a 12-point "Mission Statement" which participants recited during classes, pledging to "purge" themselves "of all parasite and envy-based habits", to enroll others, and to "ethically control as much of the money, wealth and resources of the world as possible within my success plan".[93] Photographs of Raniere and Nancy Salzman were displayed during classes, which would conclude with participants showing gratitude to the two leaders.[94]

NXIVM conducted "Intensives" classes for 12 hours daily for 16 days. One cited price was $7,500.[95][96] Classes were divided into modules. In one module, "Relationship Sourcing", students were instructed to explore the benefits they would receive in the event of a partner's sudden death. Another module, "Dracula and his ghouls", reportedly discussed psychopaths and their followers. Other module titles included "Best People; Perfect World" and "The Heroic Struggle".[97]

NXIVM featured a practice, termed "exploration of meaning", that involved senior members questioning members as they delved into their childhood memories.[98]

NXIVM taught that some people, called "Suppressives", try to impede progress within NXIVM.[99] People who irrevocably turned against Raniere were said to have undergone "The Fall" and were labeled, in the words of a former member, as "Luciferians, lost people for whom bad feels good, and good feels bad."[100]

NXIVM members organized Vanguard Week, an annual celebration of Raniere's birthday.[101]

NXIVM has been associated with several related organizations. Jness was a society aimed at women, while the Society of Protectors was aimed primarily at men.[98] A third group was known by the acronym DOS for "Dominus Obsequious Sororium", a Latin phrase that one member translated as "Master over Slave Women",[102] although it is not even correct Latin, meaning nothing. In 2006, Raniere founded Rainbow Cultural Garden, an international chain of childcare organizations in which children were to be exposed to seven different languages.[103]

Influences on NXIVM beliefs and practices

Some members of NXIVM's inner circle were reportedly taught that, in past lives, they were high-ranking Nazis.[104] Barbara Bouchey was reportedly the reincarnation of Holocaust architect Reinhard Heydrich, while Nancy Salzman was supposed to be the reincarnation of Hitler. Raniere claimed to have been a leader of anti-Nazi partisans.[105]

According to a complaint filed by a former NXIVM member, a medical doctor performed an experiment on her that involved recording her EEG responses while viewing footage of people being murdered.[100][106] Brandon P. Porter, the doctor, faced 24 professional conduct charges from the New York State Board of the Office of Professional Medical Conduct, including "moral unfitness to practice medicine".[107][108] In August 2019, Porter's license was revoked for his role in the experiments and for his failure to report the possible outbreak of a norovirus at NXIVM's 2016 "V-Week" retreat.[109][110]

NXIVM teachings drew upon diverse influences, including Ayn Rand ("parasites"), L. Ron Hubbard ("suppressives"), Milton Erickson's hypnosis, Isaac Asimov's science fiction, Rudolf Steiner, Tony Robbins, and neuro-linguistic programming. NXIVM incorporated elements of multi-level marketing and practices from judo, with colored cloth for rank and bowing.[111][112]

Notable members and others

NXIVM was founded by Keith Raniere (born August 26, 1960).[60] In March 2018, Raniere was arrested and indicted on a variety of charges related to DOS (a "secret sisterhood" within NXIVM), including sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor.[5][67][113] He was found guilty of all charges at trial.[114]

In 1998, Keith Raniere met Nancy Salzman, a psychiatric nurse and trained practitioner of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming. The two founded Executive Success Programs, a personal development company[16] offering a range of techniques aimed at self-improvement.[17][18][19] In March 2019, Salzman pleaded guilty to racketeering.[115]

Heiress Sara Bronfman, along with her sister Clare, bankrolled the NXIVM organization beginning in 2003.

Sara Bronfman is the daughter of billionaire Seagrams chairman Edgar Bronfman Sr. She was introduced to NXIVM by a family friend in 2002.[104] She in turn introduced her sister, Clare Bronfman, to NXIVM. Clare 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. 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.[116] On April 19, 2019, Clare Bronfman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification; she faced 21 to 27 months in prison and has agreed to forfeit $6 million.[117][118][119][120] On September 30, 2020, she was sentenced to six years, nine months in prison by a federal judge.[10]

Edgar Boone, the scion of a wealthy family, introduced NXIVM to numerous affluent Mexicans, becoming head of NXIVM-Mexico and rising to third in the NVIXM organization.[121][122][123][124]

Emiliano Salinas is a venture capitalist and businessman. He is the son of former Mexican president Carlos Salinas de Gortari. Salinas served as vice president of Prorsus Capital, a financial consortium with ties to Raniere and NXIVM.[125]

American actress Allison Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in April 2019 and is awaiting sentencing.

Karen A. Unterreiner is a member who became Raniere's live-in partner beginning in the 1980s and an early employee of his company Consumers' Buyline.[126][127]

Pam Cafritz was the daughter of Washington, D.C., socialites Buffy and William Cafritz.[128] In the 1990s, she resided with Raniere and Karen Unterreiner in an Albany home. Both Unterreiner and Cafritz signed consent agreements with prosecutors for their role in Consumers' Buyline.[129] Cafritz was a founder of JNESS, a Raniere-affiliated women's group. Cafritz was reported to be Raniere's "most important long-term girlfriend".[130] On November 7, 2016, Pam Cafritz died. After her death, her credit card was charged for over $300,000.[131]

Allison Mack is an American actress known for her role on the series Smallville. Mack was reportedly recruited to the Vancouver chapter of NXIVM, along with her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk.[132] Mack was reportedly a founder of DOS, a Raniere-affiliated Master/Slave group. Mack was arrested on April 20, 2018, on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy. Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in April 2019, and was to be sentenced in September 2019. However, on July 15, 2019, the Senior U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis postponed the sentencing until further notice to allow federal probation officials to conduct presentencing investigations.[133]

Canadian actress Nicki Clyne

Nicki Clyne is a Canadian actress known for her role on the series Battlestar Galactica. According to reports, in 2006, Clyne became involved with NXIVM. In 2008, she reportedly requested to be let out of her contract to focus full-time on NXIVM.[134] After Raniere's conviction, Clyne and others began dancing nightly outside the detention center containing Raniere.[135]

Marc Elliot was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at age 9 and later appeared in videos claiming his experience with NXIVM improved his symptoms. Elliot continued his participation after Raniere's conviction, becoming a regular dancer outside Raniere's jail.[136]

Suneel Chakravorty, a software developer, remained among Raniere's post-conviction followers, dancing outside the jail where Raniere is confined.[137][138][139][140]

Danielle Roberts, D.O., a doctor, gained notoriety for having used a cauterizing pen to brand 13 women.[44][18][62][63] In 2020, New York Board of Medical Conduct began an investigation into Roberts.[141] After Raniere's conviction, Roberts was among the dancers outside the jail in which he was incarcerated.[142]

Brandon Porter, M.D., a medical doctor, conducted unlicensed human-subjects research on 200 people for NXIVM. During a "fright study", Porter exposed subjects to disturbing videos, including actual footage of a decapitation.[143] In 2016, Porter was present at a NXIVM retreat ("V-Week") where 300 to 400 individuals were struck by an unidentified disease; Porter failed to report the outbreak, in violation of his duties as a licensed medical doctor.[143] Porter was stripped of his medical license in 2020.[144][143][145]

Critical former members

Toni Natalie met Raniere in 1991 when he was pitching his business Consumer's Buyline.[146] Natalie and her then-husband became top sellers for the organization.[146] Natalie recalled that she was able to stop smoking after a two-hour session with Raniere,[146] but this claim is disputed by her ex-husband.[147] Natalie and her son later moved to be near Raniere; her marriage ended shortly thereafter. Natalie and Raniere dated for the next eight years.[146] In the mid-90s, Raniere and Natalie operated a health-products store.[148] In 1999, Raniere's eight-year relationship with Natalie ended. Natalie would subsequently claim to have been the victim of harassment.[149] In a January 2003 ruling, federal judge Robert Littlefield implied Raniere was using a legal suit to harass Natalie. Wrote Littlefield: "This matter smacks of a jilted fellow's attempt at revenge or retaliation against his former girlfriend, with many attempts at tripping her up along the way"[150][146] In 2011, Natalie filed documents in federal court alleging that she had been repeatedly raped by Raniere.[146]

Joseph J. O'Hara was an attorney who departed NXIVM in 2005 after accusing the group of misdeeds. In 2007, O'Hara was indicted by Albany County. It was later revealed that the District Attorney had allowed Raniere's girlfriend Kristin Keeffe to operate within its office as a sort of victims' advocate.[151] Charges were ultimately dismissed.

Barbara Bouchey was a client of Nancy Salzman, having been referred to her in 1988. Beginning in 2000, Bouchey dated Raniere. In 2009, Bouchey and eight other women ("The NXIVM Nine") confronted Raniere with concerns about abuse within the organization. That year, Bouchey left the group and later went to law enforcement.[152]

Kristin Keeffe became Raniere's partner in the early 1990s. In 2013, Keeffe gave birth to Raniere's son Gaelyn.[153] In February 2014, Keeffe broke with Raniere and his group. Fleeing the region with her son, an email bearing Keeffe's name explained: "I have full sole legal custody of Gaelyn. Keith was experimenting on him. I had to get Gaelyn away".[154] Keeffe publicly described Raniere as "dangerous".[154] In 2015, Keeffe alleged that NXIVM leaders had planned to lure critics to Mexico with an invitation to an anti-cult conference; once in Mexico, the critics were to be arrested on false charges by order of a judge who had been bribed.[155][156][157]

Sarah Edmondson is a Canadian actress. After leaving NXIVM in early 2017, she publicly denounced the organization, claiming that she was invited into DOS, a substructure within NXIVM operated by Keith Raniere and Allison Mack, and was branded with a combination of Raniere's and Mack's initials at Mack's Albany home.[158][159][160] Edmondson showed the brand in a New York Times exposé of NXIVM.[158]

Mark Vicente, a filmmaker known for the 2004 film What the Bleep Do We Know!?, began involvement with the group in 2005. Vicente testified against Raniere at his 2019 trial.[161]

India Oxenberg, daughter of actress Catherine Oxenberg, was introduced to the group in 2011.[162] At Raniere's trial, a witness testified that India had spent a year on a 500-calorie-per-day diet.[163] In May 2017, India admitted to her mother that she was among those who had been branded.[164] India left the group in June 2018, after Raniere's arrest.[165] In August 2018, Catherine Oxenberg's book Captive: A Mother's Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult was published.[166][167][168]

Journalists and bloggers

James Odato is an investigative reporter who wrote for the Albany Times Union. In 2012, Odato reported Raniere's history of pedophilia. In October 2013, Odato was named in a lawsuit filed by NXIVM, along with Suzanna Andrews of Vanity Fair and blogger John J. Tighe; all had written critically of the group.[169] The suit alleged that NXIVM computers had been illegally accessed. Shortly thereafter, Odato was described as being "on leave" from the Times Union.[169]

In 2007, Frank Parlato was hired by NXIVM to help with publicity. After concluding the members were being defrauded by Raniere, Parlato began blogging about the group on his sites ArtVoice, The Niagara Falls Reporter, and The Frank Report.[170][127]

John Tighe wrote about NXIVM on a blog.[171] In 2013, NXIVM accused Tighe of illegally accessing NXIVM servers using a former member's login information. Tighe's home was raided by the New York State Police, and his computer was seized.[172] Several months later, State Police announced the discovery of child pornography on Tighe's computer; he was arrested. Facing a possible prison term of 20 years, Tighe pleaded guilty to a single count in exchange for a five-year sentence in federal prison.[173]

Films, documentaries and books

NXIVM after Raniere's conviction

Beginning in July 2020, at least six NXIVM loyalists were organizing dance protests outside the detention center which houses Raniere. Operating under the name We Are As You, dancers included actor Nicki Clyne and branding doctor Danielle Roberts.[135]

While incarcerated, Raniere has maintained his leadership role over NXIVM, regularly communicating with his followers by phone. Raniere instructed his followers to solicit the assistance of Alan Dershowitz, the attorney who successfully negotiated a non-prosecution agreement of Jeffrey Epstein.[189] Raniere gave false names of people he was allegedly calling to prison officials, and call recipients employed "burner phones" in an attempt to avoid detection. In one instance, Raniere instructed a follower to "get scrutiny" on the judge in his case, explaining that "the judge needs to know he's being watched".[190]

On September 25, 2020, NXIVM leader Suneel Chakravorty emailed prosecutors a demand that they sign or deny a Raniere-authored "ethics affidavit", giving prosecutors a "5pm Wednesday" deadline for response. The demand, addressing five individual prosecutors by name, threatens "provocative public actions that bring hidden transgressions to light and send a message to judges, prosecutors, and federal agents that they answer to us."[191][192] Simultaneously, a team of 10 individuals descended on the U.S. attorney's office to deliver the demand in person; at that same time, another individual attempted to deliver a package to a former Raniere prosecutor at her law firm.[193]

References

  1. ^ Saul, Emily (January 23, 2019). "Brooklyn judge finds 'issues' with Nxivm defense fund". New York Post. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  2. ^ Burton, Tara Isabella (April 25, 2018). "Seagram's heiress arrested for role in controversial "sex cult"". Vox.
  3. ^ Shea, Courtney (February 8, 2019). "How Nxivm Targeted Women". Chatelaine. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Dickson, E. J. (October 8, 2019). "How NXIVM Was the Ultimate Wellness Scam". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Leader of NY Group Branded Women, Made Them Sex Slaves: Feds". NBC 4 New York. March 26, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Nxivm: Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman pleads guilty in 'sex cult' case". BBC News. April 20, 2019.
  7. ^ Arnold, Amanda (April 19, 2019). "The Most Disturbing Details From the NXIVM Sex-Cult Case". The Cut. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Moynihan, Colin (June 19, 2019). "Nxivm Trial: Leader Convicted After Trial Exposed Sex Cult's Sordid Inner Workings". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 19, 2019. On Wednesday, jurors in Federal District Court in Brooklyn sided with prosecutors. They found Keith Raniere, the leader of the cultlike group near Albany known as Nxivm, guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, ending a six-week trial that exposed the sordid inner workings of the organization.
  9. ^ Thebault, Reis (June 19, 2019). "He told women he could help. Instead, he branded them with his initials and made them sex slaves". The Washington Post.
  10. ^ a b c Hong, Nicole (September 30, 2020). "Clare Bronfman Is Sentenced to 81 Months in Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. ^ "There Are Allegedly Still Active Splinter Groups Of NXIVM". Bustle. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  12. ^ https://wnyt.com/wnytimages/Keith-Raniere-sentencing-memorandum.pdf
  13. ^ "'The Vow' Star Mark Vicente on the "Horror" of NXIVM | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  14. ^ Hong, Nicole; Piccoli, Sean. "Keith Raniere, Leader of Nxivm Sex Cult, Is Sentenced to Life in Prison". New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  15. ^ "'Ample evidence' to justify investigation". Times Union. February 20, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  16. ^ a b Bloch, Josh; Goldhar, Kathleen; Elash, Anita; Pizer, Dave. "Escaping NXIVM: Inside the secretive world of leader Keith Raniere". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Who is Keith Raniere? Self-help guru accused of sex trafficking". Newsweek. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g A&E Cults and Extreme Belief S1E1, aired May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018, https://www.aetv.com/shows/cults-and-extreme-belief/season-1/episode-1.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "The 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  20. ^ Odato, James; Gish, Jennifer (February 11, 2012). "Secrets of NXIVM". Albany Times Union. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Barcella, Laura (November 21, 2017). "Is NXIVM a Cult? What We Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  22. ^ Andrews, Suzanna (October 13, 2010). "The Heiresses and the Cult". Vanity Fair. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g "Her Darkest Role: Actress Allison Mack's Descent From 'Smallville' to Sex Cult". May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  24. ^ a b c Freedman, Michael (October 13, 2003). "Cult of Personality". Forbes. New York. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  25. ^ "This Keith Raniere Sex-Cult Story Is Much Deeper Than Allison Mack's Arrest". Vanity Fair. April 20, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  26. ^ "A Top NXIVM Sex Cult Recruiter Comes Forward, Says Founder 'Messed With the Wrong Person'". The Daily Beast. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  27. ^ Freedman, Michael (October 13, 2003). "Cult of Personality". Forbes. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  28. ^ a b Köhler, Nicholas (September 13, 2010). "How to Lose $100 Million". Maclean's. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  29. ^ a b Andrews, Suzanna (October 13, 2010). "The Heiresses and the Cult". Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  30. ^ A Forensic Psychiatrist Evaluates ESP, Cult Education Institute, February 2003
  31. ^ A Critical Analysis of the Executive Success Programs Inc., Cult Education Institute, February 2003
  32. ^ Robert Jay Lifton's eight criteria of thought reform as applied to the Executive Success Programs, Cult Education Institute, February 2003
  33. ^ "NXIVM Corp. v. Ross". legal case. Citizen media law company. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  34. ^ Berman, Phyllis; Gillies, Andrew T.; Novack, Janet; Egan, Mary Ellen; Blakeley, Kiri (June 24, 2006). "The Bronfmans and the Cult". Forbes. Retrieved July 24, 2006.
  35. ^ Vardi, Nathan (March 29, 2010). "The Bronfmans and The 'Cult'". Forbes. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  36. ^ a b "'Smallville' Actress Kristin Kreuk 'Horrified and Disgusted' by Nxivm Cult She Left". Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  37. ^ Witness: Bronfmans tried to apply political pressure[permanent dead link]. Gavin, Robert. Times Union. May 16, 2019.
  38. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (September 24, 2018). "FBI shifts mountain of data in NXIVM's seized computers". Times Union.
  39. ^ Ettkin, Brian (April 6, 2009). "Dalai Lama Cancels His Visit to Albany". The News-Times. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  40. ^ Caprood, Tom (May 7, 2009). "Dalai Lama fills Palace with message of compassion". TroyRecord.com. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  41. ^ "Suspended Lama Tenzin Dhonden Had A Lover Too!". Tibetan Journal. November 1, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  42. ^ Odato, James. "Lawyer attacks NXIVM 'scheme'". TimesUnion.com. The Hearst Corporation. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  43. ^ "The Only (Alleged) Sex-Slave Cult Story You Need to Understand: Kirsten Gillibrand's Weakness as a 2020 Candidate". Slate. March 28, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  44. ^ a b c d e Meier, Barry. "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2017. In a letter, the agency said it would not look into Dr. Roberts because she was not acting as Ms. Edmondson's doctor when the branding is said to have happened.
  45. ^ "Associate pleads guilty in 'sex cult' case". BBC. March 13, 2019.
  46. ^ Cohan, William D. (November 18, 2014). "How a Strange, Secretive, Cult-like Company Is Waging Legal War Against Journalists". The Nation. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  47. ^ "Bronfman, Russell plead guilty in NXIVM case". timesunion.com. April 19, 2019.
  48. ^ "Members of alleged sex cult NXIVM appear in federal court". ABC News.
  49. ^ "Heiress among four arrested in 'sex cult'". BBC. July 25, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  50. ^ Odato, James (November 22, 2010). "Ex-NXIVM trainer: Students are prey". Times Union.
  51. ^ Odato, James (May 12, 2014). "A split from NXIVM". Times Union.
  52. ^ Hong, Nicole (January 29, 2020). "Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Was Also a Huge Pyramid Scheme, Lawsuit Says". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  53. ^ Dessem, Matthew (May 27, 2018). "Elon Musk's Crusade for Media Accountability Lasted Three Whole Days Before He Recommended a News Site Affiliated With a Suspected Sex Cult". Slate. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  54. ^ Dellinger, AJ (May 28, 2018). "Elon Musk's Idea of 'Excellent' Journalism Comes From an Alleged Sex Cult". Gizmodo UK. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  55. ^ a b Wilbur, Brock (May 30, 2017). "The Knife of Aristotle Isn't Just a Fake "Fake News" Site—It's a Cult". Paste. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  56. ^ Von Aue, Mary (May 27, 2018). "Elon Musk Bashed Media With Article From The Cult Accused Of Sex Trafficking". Inverse. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  57. ^ Spozio, Iker (April 27, 2018). "Sex & Propaganda: How An Alleged Cult Tried To Play The Media Against Itself". Playboy. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  58. ^ frankparlato (June 13, 2017). "Part 1 The Slave Women of DOS – Revealed". Frank Report. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  59. ^ a b "Former NXIVM member says she was invited into a secret sorority, then branded". ABC News. December 16, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  60. ^ a b Barcella, Laura (March 28, 2018). "NXIVM: What We Know About Alleged Sex Trafficking, Forced Labor". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  61. ^ "What is Nxivm?". March 27, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  62. ^ a b CBC News (October 27, 2017). "Canadian woman says she was ritually branded and indoctrinated by a 'cultish group' in the U.S." – via YouTube.
  63. ^ a b "Vancouver woman says scars from ritual 'branding' fuel her fight against 'cultish' group". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 27, 2017.
  64. ^ ABC News (December 16, 2017). "Former NXIVM member describes being branded in secret sorority initiation: Part 1" – via YouTube.
  65. ^ "Escaping NXIVM". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. September 5, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  66. ^ "¿Quiénes son los mexicanos involucrados con la secta NXIVM?" [Who are the Mexicans involved with the NXIVM sect?], El Sol de Mexico (in Spanish), May 26, 2019, retrieved May 26, 2019
  67. ^ a b Siemaszko, Corky (May 4, 2018). "Self-help guru denies enslaving, branding women in Nxivm sex cult". NBC News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  68. ^ "Leader of alleged cult that ensnared Vancouver woman appears in court". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. March 27, 2018.
  69. ^ Swenson, Kyle (March 27, 2018). "Feds say self-help guru coerced followers into sex, had them branded with a cauterizing pen". The Washington Post.
  70. ^ "NXIVM female sex "slaves" allegedly branded with secretive group leader's initials". CBS. Associated Press. March 27, 2018.
  71. ^ "Founder of "NXIVM", a Purported Self-Help Organization, and Actor Indicted for Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor Conspiracy". justice.gov. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  72. ^ "Smallville Actress Arrested for Role in Alleged Sex Cult that Branded and Enslaved Women". Time. April 20, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  73. ^ Helmore, Edward (April 22, 2018). "Smallville's Allison Mack was allegedly a 'top member' of cult that abused women". The Guardian. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  74. ^ "Allison Mack of "Smallville" granted bail in sex cult case".
  75. ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (April 24, 2018). "Allison Mack granted bail in sex trafficking case". CNN. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  76. ^ "Self-help guru denies enslaving, branding women in sex cult". NBC News. May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  77. ^ "Raniere, Mack appear in court on sex-slavery charges". Albany Times-Union. May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  78. ^ "Trial date set for Keith Raniere and Allison Mack". Albany News 10. May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  79. ^ "Foreclosure Complaint Reveals NXIVM Sex Cult Rituals In Upstate New York". May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  80. ^ Italiano, Laura (April 21, 2018). "'Sex cult' moves to Brooklyn — and is ready for 'war'". Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  81. ^ Hughes, Steve (June 12, 2018). "NXIVM suspends all operations; founder's bail denied". Times Union. Associated Press.
  82. ^ "Clare Bronfman, Seagram's heiress, arrested in Nxivm sex-trafficking case". globalnews.ca. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  83. ^ Proctor, Jason (July 24, 2018). "Seagram's heiress Clare Bronfman charged in connection with alleged sex cult NXIVM Bronfman and five others accused of racketeering related to operations of a cult-like pyramid group". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  84. ^ Brendan, Pierson (March 13, 2019). "Self-help guru Raniere faces U.S. child porn charges; associate pleads guilty". Reuters. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  85. ^ Saul, Emily (March 13, 2019). "Nxivm co-founder Nancy Salzman pleads guilty in sex cult case". New York Post. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  86. ^ "Leader of alleged NXIVM sex cult pleads not guilty to child porn charges". CBS news. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  87. ^ Lyons, Brendan J.; Goodwin, Mike (March 29, 2019). "Daughter of NXIVM leader pleads guilty". Times Union.
  88. ^ "Smallville star Allison Mack pleads guilty to racketeering in Nxivm case". The Guardian. April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  89. ^ Meier, Barry; Moynihan, Colin (April 19, 2019). "Clare Bronfman Pleads Guilty in Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Case, Leaving Leader to Stand Trial Alone". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  90. ^ "NXIVM trial prosecution's opening statements lasted ninety minutes". News 10 ABC.
  91. ^ del Rio, Giulia McDonnell Nieto; Holcombe, Madeline; Frehse, Rob. "Nxivm leadership accused of illegal psychological experiments and systematic abuse in federal lawsuit". CNN. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  92. ^ "The stripe path: How to make your way up in NXIVM". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 8, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  93. ^ Moynihan, Colin (May 9, 2019). "Former Sex Cult Official Describes Its 'Evil' Inner Workings". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  94. ^ Bloch, Josh; Goldhar, Kathleen; Elash, Anita; Pizer, Dave. "Uncover: Escaping NXIVM". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  95. ^ Melendez, Pilar (May 7, 2019). "NXIVM Trial Opens: Feds Say Founder Keith Raniere Was 'Crime Boss,' Not Guru". Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via thedailybeast.com.
  96. ^ Grigoriadis, Vanessa (May 30, 2018). "Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  97. ^ "Part 1: Master Raniere's secret teachings: What students learn in ESP 'Intensives'!". Frank Report - Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  98. ^ a b Garber-Paul, Elisabeth (May 30, 2018). "Nxivm: 8 Things We Learned from 'Sex-Cult' Exposé". Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  99. ^ Gavin, Robert (May 13, 2019). "Witness: Raniere bragged of wanting to 'break' follower Allison Mack". Times Union. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  100. ^ a b "How NXIVM Used a Simple Tool to Build Its 'Sex Cult'". Vanity Fair.
  101. ^ "NXIVM turned Lake George resort into annual Raniere birthday jamboree". timesunion.com. May 10, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  102. ^ Bellamy-Walker, Tatyana (March 27, 2018). "Feds: 'Self-Help' Guru Kept Women as Sex 'Slaves,' Branded Them With His Initials". Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via thedailybeast.com.
  103. ^ Iannelli, Jerry (April 27, 2018). "State Closes Midtown Miami School Tied to NXIVM 'Sex Cult' Leader". Miami New Times.
  104. ^ a b Andrews, Suzanna. "The Heiresses and the Cult". Vanities. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  105. ^ "From Adolf Hitler to Herman Goering, NXIVM sex-cult leader Raniere told followers they were 'Reincarnated Nazis'!". Artvoice. April 9, 2018.
  106. ^ "Porter Complaint" (PDF).
  107. ^ Barnes, Steve (May 5, 2018). "NXIVM doctor facing state charges". Times Union.
  108. ^ "Notice Of Hearing In The Matter Of Brandon Porter, MD". Office for Professional Medical Conduct, New York State Department of Health. April 24, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  109. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (August 22, 2019). "NXIVM doctor who conducted brain studies loses license". Times Union.
  110. ^ "Dr. Brandon Porter Loses Medical License". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. August 22, 2019.
  111. ^ Parlato, Frank (July 7, 2019). "Did Isaac Asimov Inspire Keith Raniere to be 'the Mule'?". Artvoice.
  112. ^ https://www.amazon.com/Program-Inside-Keith-Raniere-NXIVM-ebook/dp/B07PCHJK2M
  113. ^ "NXIVM TRIAL: Prosecution's opening statements lasted 90 minutes". WTEN. May 7, 2019.
  114. ^ Chow, Andrew (June 19, 2019). "NXIVM Leader Keith Raniere Convicted on Sex Trafficking Charges. Here Are the Major Players in the Case". Time. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  115. ^ Wynne, Kelly (May 21, 2019). "Who is Nancy Salzman? Co-founder's daughter testifies in plea deal for NXIVM wrongdoings". Newsweek.
  116. ^ "Seagram heiress Bronfman pleads not guilty in NXIVM 'sex slave' case". NBC News. July 24, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  117. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (April 20, 2019). "Bronfman, Russell plead guilty in NXIVM case". Times Union.
  118. ^ Will Yakowicz (May 31, 2019). "From heiress to felon how Clare Bronfman wound up in cult like group NXIVM". Forbes. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  119. ^ Andrew R. Chow (June 19, 2019). "NXIVM Leader Keith Raniere Has Been Convicted for Keeping Women as 'Sex Slaves.' Here Are the Major Players in the Case". The Times Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  120. ^ "Líder de secta NXIVM enseñaba que la violación y el abuso infantil no son delitos". El Universal. June 14, 2019.
  121. ^ Natalie, Toni; Hardin, Chet (September 24, 2019). The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 9781538701034 – via Google Books.
  122. ^ Parlato, Frank (April 4, 2019). "Edgar Boone – rebuilding Nxivm in Mexico – stands with Keith Raniere – yet lost love of his life, Sara Bronfman, to his pervy Vanguard". Artvoice.
  123. ^ "Executive course in 'cult' lawsuit launches in Dublin | WWRN - World-wide Religious News". wwrn.org.
  124. ^ Claviger, K. R. (May 13, 2019). "Vicente: Keith Forced Clare Bronfman to Wear Jock Strap [and More Wonderful Testimony]".
  125. ^ Zimmerman, Amy (August 9, 2018). "Inside the NXIVM Sex Cult's Secret Plot to Take Over Mexico". The Daily Beast. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  126. ^ Bloch, Josh; Goldhar, Kathleen; Elash, Anita; Pizer, Dave. "Escaping NXIVM: Inside the secretive world of leader Keith Raniere". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
  127. ^ a b "Raniere stands alone". Times Union. May 4, 2019.
  128. ^ "The Heiresses and the Cult". Vanity Fair.
  129. ^ "Making Vanguard Proud – The Mays Men Bring Executive Success To Arkansas". Artvoice. July 7, 2019.
  130. ^ Grigoriadis, Vanessa (May 30, 2018). "Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times.
  131. ^ Gavin, Robert (June 11, 2019). "Ordered to seduce Raniere, woman planned escape from NXIVM". Times Union.
  132. ^ Köhler, Nicholas (September 13, 2010). "How to Lose $100 Million". Maclean's. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  133. ^ Gavin, Robert. "Sentencing of NXIVM leader delayed". timesunion.
  134. ^ "Nicki Clyne quit acting, broke her contract with Battlestar Galatica producers to join NXIVM mission full time". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. November 19, 2017.
  135. ^ a b Gavin, Robert (July 11, 2020). "NXIVM members dancing for Raniere outside federal prison". Times Union. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  136. ^ "Not for the Squeamish: Forgotten Ones Dance as Prisoner Is Suspected of 'Jerking to the Twerking'". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. August 31, 2020.
  137. ^ https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Raniere-facing-possible-life-sentence-wants-15521201.php
  138. ^ https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-judge-needs-to-know-hes-being-watched-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-says-in-jailhouse-call
  139. ^ https://artvoice.com/2020/09/04/say-what-suneel-to-judge-i-brought-clare-bronfman-to-and-from-the-bathroom-lowering-her-down-onto-and-raising-her-up-from-the-toilet-seat/
  140. ^ https://www.bkreader.com/2020/07/23/nxivm-group-holds-nightly-dances-outside-of-brooklyn-prison-despite-its-controversial-ties/
  141. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (April 8, 2019). "NXIVM doctor who branded women is target of investigation". Times Union.
  142. ^ Gavin, Robert (July 11, 2020). "NXIVM members dancing for Raniere outside federal prison". Times Union.
  143. ^ a b c "NXIVM doctor who conducted brain studies loses license". August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on August 20, 2020.
  144. ^ "Doctor Associated With Cult-Like New York Group Loses License".
  145. ^ "Wayback Machine". December 15, 2019. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019.
  146. ^ a b c d e f "Rochester woman tells all about life with NXIVM's Keith Raniere, her ex". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  147. ^ Parlato, Frank (October 17, 2019). "Toni Natalie's 'Keith Hypnotized Me Into Quitting Smoking' Story Disputed by Ex-Husband Rusty". Frank Report.
  148. ^ Freedman, Michael. "Cult of Personality". Forbes. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)[permanent dead link]
  149. ^ [1][dead link]
  150. ^ "Natalie Jilted Boyfriend". December 1, 2011 – via Internet Archive.
  151. ^ "NXIVM pressed district attorney". March 3, 2012.
  152. ^ "Guilty plea ends Salzman's long allegiance to Raniere". timesunion.com. March 17, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  153. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (September 20, 2015). "Legal papers: NXIVM officials probed finances of 6 federal judges, Senator Schumer, others". Times Union.
  154. ^ a b Odato, James M. (May 11, 2014). "A split from NXIVM". Times Union.
  155. ^ "404 Error Page". culteducation.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  156. ^ "TRANSCRIPT: Uncover: Escaping NXIVM - Season 1, EP 3". CBC Radio. April 4, 2019.
  157. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (October 18, 2015). "Records: NXIVM hacked billionaire's emails with Hillary Clinton, world leaders". Times Union.
  158. ^ a b "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded". Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  159. ^ "Former NXIVM member says she was invited into a secret sorority, then branded". ABC News. December 15, 2017. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  160. ^ "Nxivm member was branded at Allison Mack's home". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  161. ^ "Filmmaker breaks down describing Nxivm's duplicitous ideas and evil intent - The Underground Bunker". tonyortega.org. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  162. ^ Zimmerman, Amy (August 8, 2018). "Catherine Oxenberg Reveals How She Lost Her Daughter to the Sex Cult NXIVM". Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via thedailybeast.com.
  163. ^ Williams, Janice (June 11, 2019). "Allison Mack reportedly forced NXIVM sex cult members to follow 500-calorie-a-day diets". Newsweek. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  164. ^ "Catherine Oxenberg's Daughter Was 'Branded' with 'Cult' Leader's Initials: 'I Was Horrified'". People. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  165. ^ McNeil, Liz; Dodd, Johnny (August 7, 2018). "Catherine Oxenberg Says Her Daughter Who Has Left Nxivm Is 'Moving Forward'". People. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  166. ^ Oxenberg, Catherine; Stoynoff, Natasha (2018). Captive. Gallery Books. ISBN 9781982100650.
  167. ^ https://twitter.com/gma/status/1315729194731667458
  168. ^ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/india-oxenberg-opens-up-about-her-familys-nxivm-nightmare
  169. ^ a b Pompeo, Joe. "Journalist on leave after tangle with secretive 'NXIVM' group". POLITICO Media.
  170. ^ Vice News Tonight May 16, 2018"
  171. ^ Odato, James M. (July 25, 2010). "Secret mission: A child". Times Union.
  172. ^ Gavin, Robert (February 13, 2016). "NXIVM hacking case to be tossed". Times Union.
  173. ^ says, Is John Tighe Innocent?-Here’re a Few Facts to Consider (June 25, 2019). "Is John Tighe Innocent? – Here're a Few Facts to Consider". Artvoice.
  174. ^ White, Peter (June 20, 2019). "'The Lost Women Of Nxivm': Investigation Discovery Explores Sex Cult In Two-Hour Special".
  175. ^ Greene, Steve (April 18, 2019). "NXIVM Documentary Series from 'The Square' Filmmakers Coming to HBO".
  176. ^ "HBO Plans Docuseries on Alleged Sex Cult NXIVM". The Hollywood Reporter.
  177. ^ "Alleged sex cult NXIVM focus of HBO documentary series". NBC News.
  178. ^ Ryan, Maureen (August 23, 2020). "Review: 'The Vow' Follows Nxivm Down Dark, Damaging Paths". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  179. ^ Horton, Adrian (August 25, 2020). "The Vow review – unsettling Nxivm cult series burrows under your skin". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  180. ^ Pederson, Erik (October 13, 2020). "'Seduced: Inside The NXIVM Cult': Trailer & Premiere Date For Four-Part Starz Docuseries". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  181. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (October 13, 2020). "India Oxenberg Open Ups About NXIVM Experience in 'Seduced' Docuseries for Starz". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  182. ^ "Lifetime Is Making a NXIVM Sex Cult Movie After Founder Keith Raniere's Conviction". People.
  183. ^ Petski, Denise (July 1, 2019). "NXIVM Sex Cult Movie Set At Lifetime With Catherine Oxenberg Producing; Peter Facinelli & Andrea Roth To Star".
  184. ^ "Lifetime's Trailer For 'Escaping The NXIVM Cult' Shows Seduction And Anguish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  185. ^ "New Book by Toni Natalie: 'The Program: Inside the Mind of Keith Raniere and the Rise and Fall of NXIVM'". Artvoice. July 28, 2019.
  186. ^ The Program. March 5, 2019 – via grandcentralpublishing.com.
  187. ^ "New Book By Sarah Edmondson 'Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life'". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. July 28, 2019.
  188. ^ CBC.ca: Uncover Season 1
  189. ^ Melendez, Pilar (August 28, 2020). "NXIVM Cult Leader's Jailhouse Call to Disciples: 'The Judge Needs to Know He's Being Watched'" – via thedailybeast.com.
  190. ^ Gavin, Robert (August 28, 2020). "Raniere, facing possible life sentence, wants judge to know 'he's being watched'". Times Union.
  191. ^ https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Document-932-1-Email-from-Suneel-Chakravorty-09.25.2020.pdf
  192. ^ https://frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Document-932-2-Cover-Memo-09.26.2020.pdf
  193. ^ https://frankreport.com/2020/09/26/keith-raniere-declares-war-on-federal-prosecutors-judges-proves-that-nxivm-esp-is-alive-and-dangerous-as-ever/
  1. ^ "Actress Who Allegedly Recruited NXIVM 'Slaves' Is Dancing for Prisoner Rights Now". Vice.
  2. ^ Prahl, Amanda (August 30, 2020). "Is NXIVM Still Operational? What We Know About the Cult's Current Status". POPSUGAR Entertainment.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=NXIVM&oldid=986057167"