‘CULT’ER SHOCK
‘Sex-slave’ star released from jail on $5 million
Accused Nxivm sex-cult lieutenant Allison Mack strolled out of Brooklyn federal court Tuesday after posting $5 million bond and agreeing to stay under house arrest in California.
Lawyers for the “Smallville’’ actress-turned-accused-cult leader have been in plea talks on the sex-trafficking and forcedlabor conspiracy charges against her. Both sides agreed to allow Mack, 35, to be released while awaiting trial, and a judge then officially approved the deal.
As part of the agreement, Mack has to wear a GPS ankle bracelet and can not have contact with other members of the cult, who reportedly include Seagram liquor heiress Clare Bronfman, “Battlestar Galactica” TV actress — and Mack’s wife — Nicki Clyne, and India Oxenberg, the daughter of “Dynasty” TV star Catherine Oxenberg.
“Basically, avoid contact with anyone you know associated in any way with Nxivm. Do you understand?” Judge Viktor Pohorelsky told Mack on Tuesday.
“Yes, your honor,” Mack responded, appearing nervous, with her hands behind her back and wearing a khaki jail outfit with blue sneakers.
Mack’s whereabouts will be monitored by California officials while she stays in her parents’ Los Alamitos, Calif., home awaiting her next hearing, according to authorities.
She will be allowed to leave the house only for pre-approved activities, including traveling to Manhattan to meet with her lawyers or to Brooklyn for court appearances.
Pohorelsky also forbade her from using the Internet without approval.
Mack did not respond to reporters’ questions as she walked out of court Tuesday evening. Her arms were locked with her lawyers, who were flanking her.
She wore makeup, pinstripe pants, a blue sweater and a denim jacket as she left the courthouse. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail.
Mack’s lawyer, Sean Buckley, said in court that they want to get her to California as quickly as possible.
She will not require a government escort because she’ll be wearing the ankle monitor, a law-enforcement source said.
Mack’s mom, Melinda, secured the $5 million bond using Mack’s house in upstate Clifton Park, NY, the family’s Los Alamitos home and a retirement account, according to authorities. She did not comment after court.
Mack and Nxivm leaderd KKeith ith Raniere kept women as “slaves” and “branded” them with Raniere’s initials, prosecutors say.
Raniere was arrested in March and Mack was busted last week. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Mack’s lawyers filed an affidavit Friday temporarily waiving her right to a speedy trial, saying “they are engaged in plea negotiations, which they believe are likely to result in a disposition of this case without trial.”
Nxivm spokesman-turnedcritic Frank Parlato said the apparent cooperation could be a ruse, but “speculation by those around [Mack] is that she will wake up.”
Her next court date is May 3.