Keith Raniere, Sex Trafficking, New York 2020

Grimy Times Exclusive: Nxivm Leader Found Guilty of All Counts

Keith Raniere, 58, the founder and leader of Nxivm, a self-help organization based in Albany, New York, has been convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn of all seven counts of a superseding indictment charging him with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, attempted sex trafficking and sex trafficking conspiracy, forced labor conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy.

The racketeering offense included predicate acts of extortion, identity theft, and production and possession of child pornography. The verdict followed more than six weeks of trial before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.

Raniere faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment, and up to life in prison, when sentenced. The court has not yet set a sentencing date but it is expected in the coming months.

“As found by the jury, Keith Raniere masqueraded as a self-help guru to gain the trust of his followers, and then exploited them for his own financial gain and sexual gratification,” stated United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue. “Raniere and his co-conspirators will now face the consequences for the serious crimes they committed and the profound harm they have caused their victims.”

The case against Raniere was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

Nxivm was founded by Raniere in 2003 as a self-help organization with centers operating in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Raniere established Executive Success Programs (“ESP”), a series of purported self-help workshops in which participants paid thousands of dollars to attend classes based on Raniere’s teachings.

The secret society within Nxivm, called DOS or “The Vow,” recruited women members, including as sexual partners for Raniere. Members of the “inner circle” were rewarded with financial opportunities.

Raniere maintained command and control over his DOS members by collecting “collateral” from them, such as sexually explicit photos and letters making accusations against their loved ones that would be embarrassing if disclosed.

The members of the “inner circle” were rewarded with financial opportunities and other benefits for their loyalty to Raniere.

The case against Raniere highlights the dangers of cult-like behavior and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

Raniere's sentencing is expected in the coming months, with a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life in prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/jury-finds-nxivm-leader-keith-raniere-guilty-all-counts