Allison Mack Pleads Guilty To Charges Involving NXIVM Organization

Actress Allison Mack, who appeared in the television series “Smallville,” pleaded guilty on Monday to her role in recruiting women into an alleged “sex cult” in Albany, New York.

The cult, called NXIVM, masqueraded as a self-help organization. But prosecutors allege that Mack recruited women to have sex with NXIVM’s founder, a man named Keith Raniere, and branded the women with Raniere’s initials.

Raniere, Mack, and four others faced multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and forced labor. Mack ultimately pleaded guilty to racketeering charges.

Mack offered a tearful apology in court and confessed to her role in NXIVM, pronounced “Nex-ee-um.” She said women were required to offer the group “personally damaging” information in order to join, such as explicit photos. The photos were then used to extort women who tried to leave the group or who refused to have sexual relations with Raniere, who is 58 years old.

Mack admitted to blackmailing women and to obtaining forced labor from two members of NXIVM. She told the judge she recruited the women by telling them they were joining a “female mentorship” program.

Mack now faces up to 20 years in prison; however, she is expected to make a plea deal with prosecutors. She will be sentenced in September.