A federal judge sentenced NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman to three and a half years in prison this week. She was the last of the major players charged in criminal court in the NXIVM saga to receive a sentence. In the courtroom, eight of Salzman's victims described her as a cold, calculating enabler and enforcer for cult leader Keith Raniere. Judge Nicholas Garaufis admonished the 67-year-old Halfmoon resident, saying her actions "left trauma and destruction in your wake.”  On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, Times Union Editor-in-Chief Casey Seiler and criminal justice reporter Rob Gavin discuss the sentence and its significance.

NXIVM on Trial

Nancy Salzman: From Prefect to Prison

Last month a federal judge spared high-ranking NXIVM defector Lauren Salzman any prison time. Judge Nicholas Garaufis also sharply questioned why authorities in the Capital Region failed to bring a criminal case against Keith Raniere and what he termed the "NXVIM sex cult," despite abundant evidence of wrongdoing. On this episode of "NXIVM on Trial," Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and criminal justice reporter Robert Gavin discuss Salzman’s sentence, the judge's admonition, and her mother, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, who is expected to be sentenced in September.

From DOS to dogs

A federal judge sentenced Allison Mack to three years in prison this week for her role supplying sex "slaves" to NXIVM leader Keith Raniere. During the sentence hearing in a Brooklyn courtroom, one of Mack's victims compared her to Ghislaine Maxwell, the alleged enabler of late sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Times Union justice reporter Rob Gavin and producer Jessica Marshall traveled to Brooklyn for the former "Smallville" actress' sentencing. On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, they discuss what when on inside—and outside—the courtroom. 

The Enabler

Former television actress and high-ranking NXIVM member Allison Mack awaits sentencing this week for crimes involving Keith Raniere's cult organization. Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges in April 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced June 30. In a sentencing memo last week, she distanced herself from Raniere, calling him "a twisted man." On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, former NXIVM coach Tabby Chapman shares her own experiences with Mack, with whom she worked closely with for a time. Chapman recalls Mack's infectious charisma and the "Smallville" star's unpredictable darker side.

Allison Mack Awaits Her Fate

The now-convicted NXIVM ringleader Keith Raniere is tucked away in federal prison, likely for the rest of his life. High-ranking members of his inner circle still await sentence hearing dates. And a small faction of former members remain loyal to Raniere as he attempts to clear his name on appeal.  The ongoing NXIVM saga is the focus of former VICE senior editor and Vancouver-based investigative reporter Sarah Berman's new book, “Don’t Call it a Cult.” In it, she takes a three-part dive into the rise of NXIVM, its leader's uncanny ability to avoid legal consequences, and the federal probe that inevitably brought it all crashing down. On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, Sarah Berman talks to Rob Gavin about the book. 

'Don't Call It a Cult'

For Sarah Edmondson and Anthony "Nippy" Ames, life after NXIVM has been busy. The whistleblowers were heavily featured in the HBO Documentary "The Vow," Sarah wrote a book, and now they've started a new podcast together called "A Little Bit Culty," focused on cult psychology and the stories of survivors. Through it all, they say they're focused on their family, healing from the emotional trauma that the last decade has wrought on their lives, and helping others overcome similar traumas.  On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and criminal justice reporter Robert Gavin check in with the pair to talk about their new podcast, their thoughts on Keith Raniere's sentence and the loyalists who continue to proclaim his innocence, and the process of moving forward with their lives.

'Desperation Is a Stinky Cologne'

Former NXIVM leader Keith Raniere is now in federal prison in Arizona, planning the appeal of his 120-year sentence with a new attorney who once defended Bill Cosby. On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Robert Gavin discuss the latest developments in the NXIVM saga, including Raniere's new residence, a reported letter sent to former President Donald Trump seeking a pardon for Raniere, and an episode of CNBC's "American Greed" that features the case.  

Gone to Tucson

The sentencing of Keith Raniere and Clare Bronfman capped off a long year of delays, documentaries and major developments in the NXIVM saga. As the end of 2020 nears, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Robert Gavin look back at what transpired in the past year, and what's likely to come in 2021. Could Allison Mack face sentencing? Mack, Nancy Salzman and others still await their fate. And what of the group of determined "NXIVM dead-enders" who remain faithful to Keith Raniere?

Among the Dead-Enders

A federal judge in Brooklyn sentenced NXIVM leader Keith Raniere to 120 years in prison this week, following several hours of statements from victims who leveled words like monster, predator, parasite and terrorist at the man whose crimes included the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old Mexican girl. In this episode, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler, Managing Editor Brendan Lyons and Courts reporter Rob Gavin discuss the event that sealed the downfall of the Saratoga County-based guru who cloaked his cruelty in the language of self-empowerment.

"Parasite"

NXIVM leader Keith Raniere is finally facing his sentencing in Federal court in Brooklyn in a few short days. Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Rob Gavin discuss the potential outcome, and take a retrospective look at why Raniere and his co-defendants' cases were tried downstate rather in than in their Capital Region backyard.

Judgment Day

India Oxenberg did not intend to become a “slave” or a television celebrity's “pet” in a strange city on the other side of the country from her family’s home in southern California. Yet the daughter of actress Catherine Oxenberg spent seven years entrenched in Keith Raniere's cult-like organization, NXIVM. She was branded with Raniere's initials as a member of the secret female "master/slave" group called DOS. She left NXIVM after Raniere's arrest in 2018, and is now speaking out about her experience in the form of a four-part documentary series on Starz. In this episode of NXIVM on Trial, reporter Rob Gavin sits down with both Catherine and India Oxenberg to talk about the new series, and how they're feeling as the sentencing for Keith Raniere approaches.

The Lost Daughter

Seagram's heiress and NXIVM financier Clare Bronfman was sentenced to more than six years in prison this week, following an hours-long hearing before a judge in Brooklyn during which victims read emotionally charged impact statements. Bronfman had pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and forced labor related to her role in the shadowy organization known as NXIVM. Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Rob Gavin discuss the first in what is to become a "season" of sentencing that will bring punishment to NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, actress Allison Mack, and NXIVM leader Keith Raniere.

Brooklyn Justice

As Keith Raniere's October 27 sentencing nears, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and courts reporter Robert Gavin discuss several developments in the NXIVM saga. That includes a revelation that Raniere recently told a loyal NXIVM disciple that he wanted to "get scrutiny" on Judge Nicholas Garaufis, and Seagrams' heiress Clare Bronfman's refusal to disavow NXIVM and Raniere as she stands convicted of NXIVM-related crimes.

Scrutiny on this judge

NXIVM founder Keith Raniere faces sentencing October 27 for his 2019 conviction on federal charges of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor. NXIVM whistleblower Toni Natalie and cult expert Rick Ross played large roles in the investigation that led to Raniere's downfall as head of the shadowy organization. On this episode of NXIVM on Trial, hear the second half of a 2019 conversation between Natalie, Ross and Senior Editor Brendan Lyons at the Times Union's Hearst Center. During the discussion, they shine a light on the inner workings of NXIVM, including the role played by Seagram's heiress Clare Bronfman.

NXIVM Exposed: A Post-Trial Talk - Part II

On the eve of what would have been a week-long celebration of the birthday of disgraced former leader of NXIVM Keith Raniere, HBO's new documentary series "The Vow" will premiere the first of nine episodes looking back at the organization and the downfall of its leader. The series, which will air weekly, coincidentally times out to conclude in tandem with Raniere's long-delayed October 27 sentencing.  In this episode of NXIVM on Trial, Times Union Editor Casey Seiler and reporter Robert Gavin discuss the documentary, the reaction from former NXIVM members deeply unhappy to be featured in it, and recent developments in the case of Seagram's heiress Clare Bronfman, who pled guilty to felony charges related to her involvement in NXIVM in April 2019.

A different kind of Vanguard Week

A weekly discussion from the Times Union on major developments in the trial of Keith Raniere, co-founder of NXIVM, the shadowy upstate New York organization that has been at the center of an ongoing federal investigation into alleged extortion, sex trafficking and more.

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NXIVM on Trial

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