No prison time for high-ranking member of upstate N.Y. sex cult NXIVM
A high-ranking member of the upstate sex cult NXIVM will not serve any time for her crimes, a Brooklyn federal judge decided Wednesday.
Lauren Salzman pleaded guilty in 2019 to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy for her role in the twisted crew that passed itself off as a self-help group.
Salzman, 45, recruited women for the secret sex cult within NXIVM known as DOS. It was promoted as a sorority and women’s empowerment group, but was a vehicle to satisfy leader Keith Raniere’s sexual desires.
“It kills me that I hurt people that I loved so much,” said a teary-eyed Salzman in court Wednesday.
Judge Nicholas Garaufis took mercy on her, noting that she has turned her life around since her arrest, starting a new job as a dog groomer and expressing sincere remorse for her crimes.
“This prosecution has salvaged a life,” he said, before telling Salzman she would walk free with five years’ probation.
Prosecutors had asked for a light sentence.
“Ms. Salzman’s cooperation ensured Mr. Raniere would be punished for his crimes,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar.
The women in DOS were branded with Raniere’s initials near their private areas.
Salzman also used the “slaves” she brought into the sick fold for their labor.
She was responsible for keeping a young Mexican immigrant named Daniela locked in a room from 2010 to 2012, at Raniere’s request, prosecutors said.
Salzman told the young woman that if she left the room, she would be sent back to Mexico with no identification, prosecutors said.
Her connection to Raniere was through her mother, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman, who introduced her to the cult leader in 1997.
She went on to have an eight-year relationship with Raniere, 60, but testified against him at his 2019 trial.
Lauren Salzman was with Raniere when he was arrested by federal agents in Mexico. At his trial, she testified that they were about to have a group oral sex session when law enforcement barged in.
“Sadly, it took me two decades and two indictments to be able to see Keith Raniere for who he truly is,” Salzman wrote in a presentencing letter to Garaufis. “I really love everyone I hurt. And I have to live with this horrible truth every single day.”
Cult leader Raniere is serving a 120-year sentence federal prison term.
Salzman’s mother, who pleaded guilty to racketeering in the case two years ago, has yet to be sentenced.
Former “Smallville” actress Allison Mack was sentenced last month to three years in prison for her role in the sex cult.
Seagram’s heiress Clare Bronfman, who bankrolled the operation, was sentenced in September to more than six years behind bars.
