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US ‘sex slave’ guru goes on trial in New York
NEW YORK, May 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The trial of an American “self-help”
guru who for years presided over a secretive society of women sex slaves
begins Tuesday in New York, where his former female supporters may be called
to testify against him.
Six people had been due to appear in the dock, but 58-year-old Keith
Raniere will now be the only one to stand trial.
The other five — all women who held management positions in various
organisations headed by Raniere, including US actress Allison Mack — have
pleaded guilty one by one and avoided going on trial.
“Vanguard”, as Raniere was also known, was the leader of Nxivm, a purported
executive coaching organisation which according to prosecutors served to
extort money from followers and enable him to exploit women sexually.
More than 16,000 people over two decades passed through Raniere’s self-help
workshops, which promised to develop their “human potential”, charging $5,000
for a 5-day course.
Many who signed up quickly became indebted and ended up having to work for
Nxivm (pronounced Nexium), the main organisation, to pay their fees.
– Victims branded –
From the beginning Raniere is believed to have had a circle of 15 to 20
women under his influence, with whom he had sex at will.
As with many sects, everything rested on the powerful psychological
influence of the guru, who used a mixture of pseudo-philosophical teachings,
close oversight and humiliation to assert control.
A charismatic man with sleek long hair, beard and circular glasses, Raniere
demanded that the women follow an extremely low-calorie diet.
Based in Albany, state capital of New York, the organisation had centres in
several cities across the US, Canada, Mexico and other Central American
countries.
In 2015 Raniere created a secretive pyramid organisation within the group
known as DOS, which included “slaves” and “masters”. All members were women
except for Raniere, at the top of the pyramid.
Among the duties of the “slaves” was to have sex with Raniere.
Before being accepted as “slaves” the women had to provide compromising
photos, letters and other documents that the organisation could make public
if they left DOS.
Some were branded with Raniere’s initials on their flesh using a cautery
pen. The victims were held still by other women and filmed during the
branding ceremonies.
After the defection of several members, and an article in the New York
Times exposed his activities, Raniere fled to Mexico in October 2017. He was
arrested the following March at a luxurious villa in the seaside resort of
Puerto Vallarta.
– Lift the veil –
Raniere faces charges including sex trafficking and conspiracy. If
convicted, he could face life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty to all
charges.
The female supporters’ cooperation with Brooklyn federal prosecutor Richard
Donoghue leaves open the possibility the five could testify at the trial
against their former mentor, and further lift the veil on the sect.
The prosecution has not publicly disclosed its list of witnesses.
But the Albany Times Union said one of the five women, Lauren Salzman, was
set to attend.
According to exchanges during the selection of jurors, “Smallville” actress
Mack, who was close to Raniere and pleaded guilty to racketeering charges
last month, could also be called by the prosecution.
The trial is expected to last around six weeks.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1428 hrs