What is the NXIVM scandal 2021?
On September 8 2021, NXIVM's co-founder Nancy Salzman was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. In 2017, a New York Times report inspired a justice department investigation that took down an American multi-level marketing scheme turned 'sex cult' known as NXIVM.
Is NXIVM a money-scamming cult?
We've received your submission. Nxivm had all the hallmarks of a money-scamming cult — but the truth was far, far worse.
What was the case against NXIVM?
The case against Nxivm widened. A superseding indictment charged Mr. Raniere and five women linked to Nxivm, including Ms. Salzman, Clare Bronfman and Ms. Mack, with racketeering conspiracy involving a raft of crimes, including identity theft, extortion, forced labor, sex trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Is NXIVM a pyramid scheme?
NXIVM has been described as a pyramid scheme, a sex-trafficking operation, a cult, and a sex cult. In a 2010 Times Union article, former NXIVM coaches characterized students as "prey" for Raniere's sexual or gambling-related proclivities.
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What is the NXIVM?
In 2017, a New York Times expose inspired a justice department investigation that took down an American multi-level marketing scheme turned 'sex cult' known as NXIVM. The organization had been operating for nearly two decades under the guise of offering self-help deprogramming to heiresses, Hollywood actors and powerful CEOs.
Where is NXIVM located?
The NXIVM Executive Success Programs sign outside of the office at 455 New Karner Road on April 26, 2018 in Albany, New York. Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, was arrested by the FBI in Mexico in March of 2018. Amy Luke.
How long was Vanguard sentenced?
On October 27 2020, “Vanguard” Keith Raniere was sentenced to 120 years, after many hours of victim statements from fifteen former NXIVM members and victims of his abuse. On June 30 2021, Allison Mack received ...
How long was Nancy Salzman in jail?
The cult's co-founder Nancy Salzman was just sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
What channel is the Vow on?
This Sunday at 10 p.m., The Vow premieres on HBO. It's a 9-part true-crime deep dive on the origin and downfall of NXIVM, the cult founded by Keith Raniere, who served as the group’s spiritual guru and leader. Raniere, who was known as “Vanguard” within the organization, founded NXIVM in Albany in 1998 along with Nancy Salzman, known as the organization’s “Prefect.”
What does DOS stand for in NXIVM?
In 2017, an exclusive, highly secret women’s society within the organization, called Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS), which stands for a Latin phrase roughly translated as “lord over the obedient female companions,” is what finally sparked the downfall of NXIVM.
What is rational inquiry?
The “scientific” technique taught in the Executive Success Programs, trademarked as "Rational Inquiry" by Raniere, was called a form of expensive mind-control “aimed at breaking down his subjects psychologically” by forensic psychiatrist John Hochman in his 2003 evaluation of the organization.
What does NXIVM mean?
Though the company does not explain it’s name’s meaning, DifferentMeanings.com reveals that NXIVM has an astrological life path of 7 , which is significant to the group. “Number 7 resounds with the vibrations and energies of the ‘Aggregate Consciousness’, confidence and most profound sense of being, otherworldly arousing and mindfulness, profound illumination, otherworldly advancement, supernatural quality, instinct and inward knowing.”
When is NXIVM going to be on blast again?
Self-proclaimed “self-help group” NXIVM is being put on blast again on Dec. 15, as ABC’s 20/20 dives deep into one woman named Sarah Edmondson’s story of being indoctrinated into the secret cult and branded with the founder initials in a horrifying initiation ceremony.
Who is the founder of NXIVM?
In March, co-founder Nancy Salzman plead guilty to the federal racketeering charges, as well as “unlawfully surveil [ling]” perceived "enemies" of NXIVM by obtaining user names and passwords of their email addresses, according to the New York Times.
Why did Raniere keep women in prison?
Raniere would allegedly punish women who had sex with people who weren't him, at one point keeping a woman prisoner for 18 months in the home of one of his supporters because she pursued a romantic relationship with someone else , according to the New York Times.
What punishments could be given to women who snapped their wrists?
"The punishments could include being forced to hold painful poses, stand barefoot in the snow, take cold showers and whip each other on the 'bare butt' with the strap , Ms. Salzman said," the New York Times wrote. "She recalled that Mr. Raniere once called during the beatings to tell the women to make sure that they snapped their wrists in a particular way to inflict maximum pain."
What did Mack promise to do after meeting with Mack?
After meeting with Mack at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan, Mack promised that joining the group would "fix" how she was feeling. She now believes it was all a ruse and part of "a plot to get me up here for Keith.". To join the group, Nicole said she was asked to provide "collateral" to show that she was committed.
Who wanted a DOS candidate?
Keith Raniere allegedly wanted a DOS political candidate. According to a testimony given by Lauren Salzman, Raniere “envisioned that there would be thousands or millions of people in [DOS], We might be able to have a candidate, a D.O.S. candidate, for political office.”.
Is NXIVM back in the news?
Now, months after the alleged cult made headlines in 2018, NXIVM is back in the news as those allegedly involved in the twisted saga, like Mack and Raniere, are making their pleas in court. But to understand what those pleas mean, let's take a look at some of the most disturbing and wild details in the case.
Who was the leader of the NXIVM?
A Timeline of the Nxivm Sex Cult Case. Keith Raniere, the group’s leader, styled himself a visionary, but a jury found him guilty of racketeering, sex trafficking and other charges. Keith Raniere started Nxivm outside Albany, N.Y., in the 1990s.
Who is the bookkeeper of NXIVM?
On that same day, Nxivm’s bookkeeper, Kathy Russell, pleaded guilty to one count of visa fraud. Image. Clare Bronfman, an heiress to the Seagram’s liquor fortune, has seemingly not wavered in her loyalty to Mr. Raniere.
What did Raniere do to indoctrinate his followers?
Former members said that as Nxivm’s curriculum progressed, Mr. Raniere used psychological manipulation to indoctrinate his followers into obedience. Critics faced retaliation and lawsuits, creating an internal culture with no tolerance for dissent.
What punishments did the women in D.O.S. get?
were subjected to punishments, including being whipped with a leather strap or being asked to stand barefoot in the snow.
How many people attended the Vanguard workshop?
Since then, an estimated 18,000 people enrolled in the group’s workshops, including its “Executive Success Programs.” Most participants only took a few classes, but some members became ardent followers of Mr. Raniere, calling him “Vanguard” and regarding him as the most ethical man in the world.
What was the name of the woman who was charged with identity theft?
Ms. Salzman, who was known to the group’s followers as “Prefect,” was charged with identity theft and altering records to influence the outcome of a lawsuit against Nxivm.
When is Nancy Salzman going to be sentenced?
Nancy Salzman was scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2019. Her sentencing, however, has since been pushed to a later date, as was Lauren Salzman’s.
