NXIVM on Trial

Latest Episodes:

The Enabler Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

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.

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Allison Mack Awaits Her Fate Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

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.

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'Don't Call It a Cult' May 11, 2021

Show notes

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.

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'Desperation Is a Stinky Cologne' Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

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.

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Gone to Tucson Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

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.

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Among the Dead-Enders Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

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?

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"Parasite" Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Judgment Day Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

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.

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The Lost Daughter Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

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.

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Brooklyn Justice Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

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.

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