Allison Mack had bail set at $5 million after pleading not guilty to sex trafficking affiliated with the NXIVM Case. Appearing in the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on April 20, the woman appeared disheveled. Federal judge Viktor Pohorelsky agreed to allow the former actress to remain under the custody of her parents in their home in California.
Judge Poholrelsky stated Mack could only travel for attorney meetings, court appearances, and other pre-approved visits.
She is not allowed to use the Internet or cellular services while staying at the home of her parents. The court is ensuring that California authorities can track Mack.
Mack's involvement with NXIVM
Mack pleaded not guilty to recruiting women to join a secret organization NXIVM (pronounced “Nexium”). She is accused of being a “pimp” and “slave master” for the sex cult. The 35-year old woman worked and lived with the cult leader Keith Raniere. He ran to Mexico but was arrested in March while living in a $10,000 a week villa. Raniere is considered to be a self-improvement guru. He is accused of holding women as slaves and branding them with his initials.
Prosecutors argue that Mack would have women sexually engage with Raniere and would get paid for it. Mack would use her celebrity status as a way to get women to join Jness, a subgroup of NXIVM. Jness is a women’s group that promotes female empowerment. Its been said that members of the group would starve themselves to fit Raniere’s sense of beauty to get in his favor.
NXIVM was started in 1998 and promoted Raniere’s self-improvement tips to improve one's lifestyle. As the group grew in rank and popularity, it began to attract more attention for its cult-like behavior. The situation became increasingly tense after several women in an NXIVM subgroup were branded with a tool against their will.
Other celebrities related to the group are "Smallville" co-star Kristin Kreuk. Mack says that Kreuk introduced her to the group in 2006. Kreuk admits that she was part of the sex cult, but did not know of the brandings and other subjecting practices. Mack attempted to get celebrities like Kelly Clarkston and "Harry Potter" actress Emma Watson to talk about NXIVM. Actress Samia Shoaib recently announced that Mack attempted to recruit her into the group as well.
What are the charges?
U.S. Attorney Moira Penza stated in court that Mack was one of the top members of the sex cult disguised as a female empowerment group. As such, her charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor could land her behind bars for the rest of her life. Proceedings will continue on May 3, according to Page Six. People claims that there is a possible plea negotiation in the works for Mack, in which case, the case would not go to trial.