Not exactly a surprising new development in the NXIVM case, but what’s being admitted is still so shocking…
On Monday inside Brooklyn Federal Court, Smallville actress Allison Mack pleaded guilty to manipulating women into becoming sex slaves for the group’s spiritual leader, Keith Raniere. The specific charges were racketeering conspiracy and racketeering, and she faces 20 years in prison.
This all happened just ahead of jury selection today and opening statements scheduled for April 29. There is no clear answer as to whether or not the performer struck a deal with prosecutors, and her team did not comment.
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Allison, 36, reportedly cried as she apologized to the women prosecutors say were exploited by the purported self-help group:
“I must take full responsibility for my conduct. I am very sorry for my role in this case. I am very sorry to my family and to the good people I hurt through my misguided adherence to [NXIVM leader] Keith Raniere’s teachings.”
Mack confessed to being part of DOS, an alleged secret master-slave group associated with NXIVM, and admitted she kept a slave and instructed women “to perform services for me.”
Horrific.
She shared the system was “designed to make them think they could suffer serious harm” if they didn’t perform the requested services, because DOS had damaging information on them which they handed over at the beginning of their relationship.
Mack clearly confessed to the judge:
“I concealed Keith Raniere’s role as the head of DOS.”
Prosecutors allege that women involved in DOS were kept starving, groomed to have sex with Raniere, and were branded with his initials.
Allison is the third person involved in the NXIVM case to plead guilty. Co-founder and President of the organization Nancy Salzman and her daughter Lauren Salzman have also appeared in court. At this point, trying to deny it would have been guaranteeing a conviction.
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The plea means the former star will avoid going to trial with Raniere, Seagram‘s heiress Clare Bronfman, and Kathy Russell at the end of April. All have pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing, though after three guilty pleas, we’re not sure what kind of legs they have to stand on.
Thoughts on all this craziness, Perezcious readers? We can not believe something like this even existed. What a truly sick, sick world we live in.
Our thoughts are with the recovering victims involved in this horrific case.
[Image via WENN]
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