Update 07/23/2021 10:04am:
In 2019, NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was hit with a 120-year prison sentence after being found guilty for various charges, including sex trafficking, wire fraud conspiracy, forced labor conspiracy, and more. Since then, Raniere has been serving out his sentence but was hit another issue, as it was noted he would have to pay out $3.46 million in restitution to victims of the NXIVM cult.
US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis ordered that Raniere return the “collateral” he has access to or still controls during a hearing that took place this past Tuesday. Raniere went on to say he “never handled the collateral.” Along with that, the judge noted that over 100 victims of Raniere filed claims asking for $133 million but was taken down to 17 victims. As a result, the judge ordered Raniere to pay $3.46 million immediately. Raniere went on to say, “I don’t know who the victims are. I don’t know what they are asking.”
One victim was ordered to receive over $500,000 due to the fact that she was at the center of a child pornography case Raniere was convicted for. Stay tuned for more updates.
source: CNN
Original 10/27/2020 6:55pm:
NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison on Tuesday after being found guilty on various charges, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, forced labor conspiracy, sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and attempted sex trafficking.
The 60-year-old received his sentence after 15 of the cult's former members read statements in front of Raniere, family members of the victims, and members of NXIVM who still support Raniere. Prosecutors sought a life sentence, while Raniere's lawyers argued for a 15-year sentence.
"The 120-year sentence imposed on Keith Raniere today is a measure of his appalling crimes committed over a decade," said Seth DuCharme, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. "Raniere exploited and abused his victims emotionally, physically, and sexually for his personal gratification. It is my hope that today's sentence brings closure to the victims and their families."
NXIVM was founded by Raniere in 1998 and was built around self-help products. However, this was just a cover for a secret society within NXIVM called DOS, which was made up of women controlled by Raniere. In addition to being trafficked, the women were branded with Raniere's initials and forced to adhere to strict diets.
Raniere previously maintained his innocence during an interview with Dateline.
"You know, one of the things that's most important in our country is the justice system," Raniere said. "I am innocent. And although it is, this is a horrible tragedy with many, many people being hurt, I think the main thrust of this has been the oppression but really a different issue, which is hard for me to express. There is a horrible injustice here. And whether you think I'm the devil or not, the justice process has to be examined."
Raniere’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty to their charges and most are waiting to be sentenced. Raniere will also have to pay a fine of $1,750,000.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
