Smallville's Allison Mack pleads guilty in NXIVM sex cult case
The curious case of NXIVM, the alleged cult/pyramid scheme that marketed itself as a female empowerment group but operated as something much more nefarious, rolls on. Former Smallville actress Allison Mack was one of six people indicted last year for their involvement with the organization, which is said to have branded women and groomed them as sex slaves for founder Keith Raniere. Today, she’s expected to plead guilty to criminal charges, NBC News reports.
Mack, who is accused of recruiting women for NXIVM in exchange for financial benefits, previously pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. Two defendants, Nancy and Lauren Salzman, have already pleaded guilty on three counts of racketeering, while Seagram’s heiress Clare Bronfman, who’s apparently working with notorious attorney Michael Avenatti, is set to go on trial later this month. Raniere, who was recently hit with additional charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession for child pornography, will also face a judge this month.
UPDATE (12:06 P.M.): Per Vulture, Mack has pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of racketeering. In a teary-eyed statement to the court, Mack said, “I have come to the conclusion that I must take full responsibility for my conduct and that’s why I am pleading guilty today.”
She continued, “I’m very sorry for the victims of this case. I’m very sorry for who I’ve hurt though my misguided adherence to Keith Raniere’s teachings.”