Ex-cultists’ regrets
1 ‘groomed’ for harem, other hailed perv in diary
A former member of a sex cult said Monday she slowly became aware she was being “groomed” to be part of NXIVM leader Keith Raniere’s “harem.”
Testifying at the sex-trafficking and conspiracy trial of the 58-year-old Raniere, the witness, identified only by her first initial, J., said she was drawn to the group in 2016 because she thought it was “a humanitarian, personal development company.”
But as she spent more time in the group, she said she thought it odd that NXIVM members kept asking her about Raniere — and learning that he asked about her.
“My understanding now is I was being groomed to be a part of his harem,” testified J., a former Los Angeles actress and model.
Raniere is accused of helping himself to a group of brainwashed women who were recruited for his sexual pleasure, with some branded with his initials. He has pleaded not guilty, saying his encounters with the alleged victims were consensual.
The startling testimony followed that of another fallenaway cultist, identified only as Nicole, who told jurors despite diary entries that described her elation during 15 months in NXIVM’s secret subgroup DOS, she’s revolted by the “manipulation.”
“Woke up to an obey … text from (“Smallville” actress and NXIVM recruiter Allison Mack),” one entry reads, referencing how members of DOS were “slaves” and “masters.” “But I actually enjoyed the process of the day. I had to text for permission every time I wanted to eat something …”
When asked if she thought Mack was looking out for her best interests at the time, Nicole replied: “I wanted to trust her but I did not think that.”
She also described Raniere and Mack in roles akin to good cop-bad cop.
“Allison yelled at me, and Keith would be nice to me,” she testified.
Mack pleaded guilty in April in Brooklyn Federal Court to racketeering and conspiracy charges.
The defense also presented evidence that when Nicole left DOS, she wrote to Mack and Raniere that she was “eternally grateful,” including for the “unconditional love” her “master,” Mack, showed her.
“I was completely misguided as to what actually happened,” Nicole griped on the stand.
“It makes me angry now because there’s so much manipulation,” she testified, adding: “It’s making me so sad.”
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo also grilled Nicole on her sexual relations with Raniere. Nicole conceded that she spent at least 20 nights at the group’s “executive library” with the cult leader, and “sometimes” had sex with him.