Misplaced Pages

Keith Raniere

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Feoffer (talk | contribs) at 11:50, 28 October 2020 (no reason to doubt reporting in this specific example). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 11:50, 28 October 2020 by Feoffer (talk | contribs) (no reason to doubt reporting in this specific example)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American convicted felon and founder of NXIVM cult

Graphic of a globe with a red analog clockThis article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Keith Allen Raniere
Raniere posing for a mugshot
Born (1960-08-26) August 26, 1960 (age 64)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Occupation(s)Cult Leader, Conman, motivational speaker
Known forFounding NXIVM, sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracies
Criminal charges
Criminal statusConvicted on all charges, Sentenced to 120 years
Partners
  • Toni Natalie (1992–1999)
  • Barbara Bouchey (2000–2009)
  • Kristin Keeffe (c. 2007–2014)
Children2

Keith Allen Raniere (born August 26, 1960) is an American convicted felon and the founder of NXIVM, a multi-level marketing company and cult based near Albany, New York.

Between 1998 and 2020, NXIVM developed a following primarily through its personal development seminars, recruiting several celebrities and socialites. However, the organization also faced multiple accusations of systemic sexual abuse of female members by Raniere and members of his inner circle, leading to the arrests of Raniere and other NXIVM members in early 2018. Raniere has subsequently been characterized in media reports as a cult leader.

On June 19, 2019, Raniere was convicted of federal crimes including sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor, all related to a secret society within NXIVM known as DOS, or The Vow. On October 27, 2020, Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison, effectively a life sentence.

Early life and career

Childhood and education

Keith Raniere was born on August 26, 1960, to James Raniere (May 9, 1932 – April 10, 2020), a New York City advertiser, and his wife Vera Oschypko (January 19, 1931 – December 13, 1978), a ballroom dancing instructor. Raniere's father recalls that Vera "drank more than she should have," and in adulthood, Keith himself privately described his mother as an alcoholic. When Raniere was five, he and his family relocated from Brooklyn to Suffern, New York. When he was around eight years old, his parents separated.

From the late 1960s to the early 1970s, Raniere attended a Waldorf school. One classmate recalled an incident in which she had unwittingly shared "compromising" information about one of her sisters in front of Raniere, then aged around 10. According to her recollection, Raniere had told her: "You know, it’s like I have this little bottle of poison I can hold over your head ... I just don’t think your parents or your sister would be very happy if I told them." She claims Raniere "would call me sometimes and say, 'Little bottles, little bottles.'"

Raniere attended a public junior high school and attended Suffern High School for ninth grade before transferring to Rockland Country Day School in Congers, NY; he graduated in June 1978, two months prior to his eighteenth birthday. As an adult, Raniere reported that he read Isaac Asimov's mind control-themed work Second Foundation at age 12 and credited the novel with inspiring his work in NXIVM.

Raniere's former partner, Barbara Bouchey, has shared stories about his childhood which she claimed to have been told by his father, James: "What we did is we told Keith about how gifted and how intelligent he was. And he said it was almost like a switch went off. And suddenly overnight he turned into like Jesus Christ. And that he was superior and better than everybody like he was a deity. He said it was that dramatic and that profound; he said it went right to his head." Bouchey herself likewise recalled a story about a 13-year-old Raniere's relationships with girls: "dozens of young girls were calling the house and was overhearing his conversations with them where he was telling every single girl the same thing: 'I love you. You're the special one. You're important. You are the only one in my life and I love you.' And she says, he's saying this to all these girls. He's clearly lying 'cause all of them are not special!'" In 1982, Raniere graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with a 2.26 GPA.

Early adulthood

According to reporting by the Times Union, in 1984, the 24-year-old Raniere became sexually involved with 15-year-old Gina Melita after the two met in a theater group. After ending their relationship, Melita introduced him to her friend Gina Hutchinson, also 15. Gina Hutchinson's sister Heidi told the Times Union that Raniere became sexually involved with Gina. After Heidi found Raniere climbing into Gina's bedroom window and confronted them, Raniere told her that Gina was a "Buddhist goddess meant to be with him." Gina dropped out of school and continued her relationship with Raniere, working at his company Consumers' Buyline for a time; she died by suicide in 2002.

In June 1988, the Times Union profiled Raniere, reporting on his membership in the Mega Society after he achieved a high score on founder Ronald K. Hoeflin's MEGA test, an unsupervised, 48-question test published in the April 1985 issue of Omni magazine. Although the MEGA test has been widely criticized as not having been properly validated, the 1989 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records (the last to include a category for Highest IQ) described the Hoeflin Research Group as "the most exclusive ultrahigh IQ society," and identified Raniere, Marilyn vos Savant, and Eric Hart as the highest-scoring members of the group.

Multi-level marketing career

Through the 1980s, Raniere was involved with Amway, the multi-level marketing company. Heidi Hutchinson recalled that during the late '80s, Raniere was fascinated by Amway, Scientology, and neuro-linguistic programming. Raniere also worked as a computer programmer for New York State's Division of Parole.

Consumers' Buyline Inc.

By 1990, Raniere founded his own multi-level marketing company, Consumers' Buyline Inc. (CBI). It was at a CBI pitch meeting that Raniere met Toni Natalie, who subsequently became a top seller for the organization along with her then-husband. Natalie and her son later moved to Clifton Park to be near Raniere; her marriage ended shortly thereafter. Natalie and Raniere dated for the next eight years.

CBI shut down in 1993 after being investigated by twenty states; that year, New York filed a lawsuit alleging the organization was a pyramid scheme. In 1996, Raniere signed a consent order permanently barring him from "promoting, offering or granting participation in a chain distribution scheme" and ordering him to pay a $40,000 fine.

National Health Network

In 1994, Raniere created "National Health Network,” a multi-level seller of vitamins. That business failed in 1999. In the mid-90s, Raniere and partner Toni Natalie operated a health-products store.

Executive Success Programs and NXIVM

See also: NXIVM

In 1998, Keith Raniere's then-partner Toni Natalie met Nancy Salzman, a nurse and trained practitioner of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming. Natalie recalled:

Nancy said, “You're so wonderful, how can I help you?” So I said, “Well, you can help me with my boyfriend.” He had grandiose ideas and his hours were becoming erratic again... She listened and she said “Oh that's easy, I can help you. He's a sociopath...” They met and four days later she came out with the glazed eyes and gave me the, “You don't know who he is,” and I was like, “Wow, there goes another one.”

Also in 1998, Raniere met Christine Marie Melanakos, a recently divorced mother who had won the title of "Mrs. Michigan 1995.” She recalled that Raniere "explained how there was a profound event that would often happen to the women who became intimate with him, sometimes they would even see a blue light... Ultimately I agreed to be intimate with Keith, and it was just as he said. I even saw a blue light, but I don't think I told him so. I remember thinking, 'Wow, my brain is really susceptible to the power of suggestion.'"

Raniere and Salzman founded Executive Success Programs, a personal development company offering a range of techniques aimed at self-improvement. A few years later, the program was rebranded under the name "NXIVM.” Raniere "adopted the title 'Vanguard' from a favorite arcade game in which the destruction of one's enemies increased one's own power." Much of NXIVM was influenced by the teachings of Ayn Rand, one of Raniere's favourite authors.

Raniere's eight-year relationship with Toni Natalie ended in 1999. Natalie would subsequently claim to have been the victim of harassment. In a January 2003 ruling, federal judge Robert Littlefield implied Raniere was using a legal suit to harass his former partner. Wrote Littlefield: "This matter smacks of a jilted fellow's attempt at revenge or retaliation against his former girlfriend, with many attempts at tripping her up along the way.”

In 2002, Raniere and Salzman succeeded in recruiting members of the influential Bronfman family, heirs to the multi-billion-dollar Seagram's fortune. Sara Bronfman initially became involved, followed by sister Clare Bronfman. Their father, Edgar Bronfman Sr., took a NXIVM course the following year.

Death of Gina Hutchinson and disappearance of Kristin Snyder

Gina Hutchinson had been sexually involved with adult Raniere from 1984, when she was 15 years of age. In August 2002, Gina resumed contact with Raniere and began participating in NXIVM/ESP, according to her surviving sister, Heidi. On October 11, 2002, Gina Hutchinson was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head; her death was ruled a suicide.

Kristin Marie Snyder was a 35-year-old environmental consultant who, in November 2002, paid $7,000 to enroll in a 16-day personal development course conducted in Anchorage, Alaska, by ESP/NXIVM leader Nancy Salzman. The following January, Snyder traveled to visit Raniere, and other leaders, in New York. Snyder's mother recalled that her daughter "had come to believe she was responsible for the Columbia shuttle disaster" and "thought Keith was incredible." Snyder, accompanied by her partner Heidi Clifford, signed up for a second 16-day session in Anchorage. Clifford later reported that on the tenth day of the course, Snyder began claiming to be pregnant with Raniere's child. In 2019, it was revealed that Clare Bronfman had claimed Snyder was indeed pregnant with Raniere's child, according to a former IT consultant. Clifford recalled: "I was told (by a NXIVM instructor) not to bring her to the hospital. That's what makes me feel really bad.”

On February 6, 2003, Snyder was last seen leaving the NXIVM seminar in which she claimed she had become pregnant with Raniere's child. On February 8, her vehicle was found 120 miles away at Seward, Alaska. Police recovered a note that read as follows: "I attended a course called Executive Success Programs … based out of Anchorage, AK, and Albany, NY. I was brainwashed and my emotional center of the brain was killed/turned off. I still have feeling in my external skin, but my internal organs are rotting... I am sorry life, I didn’t know I was already dead. May we persist into the future.” A separate page added: "No need to search for my body.”

A witness at Raniere's 2019 trial testified that after Kristin Snyder disappeared, Raniere paid $24,000 to obtain the password to her email account.

2003 Forbes exposé

In 2003, billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr. took a NXIVM course at the encouragement of his daughters Sara and Clare. Later that year, he would denounce the group as a "cult" in a quote he gave to Forbes Magazine. He died in 2013.

In October 2003, Raniere was featured, cloaked in shadows, on the cover of Forbes magazine, accompanied by the appellation "The World's Strangest Executive Coach." The "devastating" cover story, penned by Michael Freedman and entitled "Cult of Personality," has been described as "a gold mine of previously unpublished information". The cover story discussed Raniere's title "Vanguard" and detailed his business, Consumers' Buyline, which collapsed amid accusations of being a "pyramid scheme." The cover story included a quote from billionaire Edgar Bronfman accusing the organization of being a cult.

Vanity Fair subsequently reported on the cover story's impact within the group: "People at NXIVM were stunned. Expecting a positive story, the top ranks had spoken to Forbes, including Raniere, Salzman, and Sara Bronfman. What upset them above all were Edgar Bronfman’s remarks." According to Vanity Fair, the Forbes article was a turning point in Raniere's relationship with Edgar Bronfman: "'That,' says one woman, 'was when Edgar Bronfman became NXIVM’s enemy.'" A witness at Raniere's trial later testified that Edgar Bronfman's computer was compromised and his emails monitored by group members for a period of years.

2005 relationship with minor Camila

According to 2019 trial testimony, in 2005 Raniere allegedly commenced a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old named Camila.

Commodities trades

Barbara Bouchey spent $1.6 million covering losses of commodities trades which Raniere made in her name. From January 2005 until late 2007, Raniere lost nearly $70 million in commodities trading. Raniere suggested to Clare Bronfman that the losses were due to market manipulation by her father. Beginning in August 2005, the Bronfman sisters covered the losses, ultimately using $150 million of their funds in support of Raniere and his organization.

Collaborations with the Dalai Lama

In 2009, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, appeared onstage and presented Raniere with a white scarf.

Eager to distance themselves from “cult” allegations in the press, NXIVM members sought the endorsement of the Dalai Lama, spending $2 million on the project.

Eight years later, it would be revealed Sara Bronfman had a 2009 sexual relationship with Lama Tenzin Dhonden, the Dalai Lama's gatekeeper who arranged the appearance, who as a monk had taken a vow of celibacy. Amid accusations of corruption, Dhonden was replaced.

On May 6, 2009, the Dalai Lama traveled to Albany to give a talk; during the event, he presented Raniere with a white scarf onstage. The Dalai Lama additionally wrote the foreword to the book The Sphinx and Thelxiepeia, which Raniere co-authored in 2009. The prior year, Raniere had co-authored his first book, Odin and The Sphinx.

Mass resignations and public allegations

In 2009, a group of Raniere's associates (called the "NXIVM Nine") broke with Raniere and his organization, citing "concerns about unethical practices and the alleged abuse of his leadership status to sexually manipulate women in the organization." One of the dissenters, Barbara Bouchey, had been Raniere's partner for nine years. In March 2010, Raniere learned that inner-circle member Daniela had kissed another man. According to 2019 trial testimony, upon hearing the news, Raniere locked himself in a bathroom. Thereafter, he ordered that Daniela be confined to a room with only a mattress and video cameras, where she was held for almost two years.

External videos
video icon 2009 discussion between Barbara Bouchey and Keith Raniere:

Partial Transcript

KR: You don’t have the experience of leadership. You don’t have the experience of preserving people’s lives with what you say. And the truth of the matter is--

BB: Well, in a way neither do you--

KR: Yes I do.

BB: No you don’t, because the only company before this was Consumers Buyline and that in my understanding fell apart within a few years... or was on the downhill after a couple years when you got sued or whatever it was.

KR: That's not ... Well.. Here’s the thing... I’ve been shot at because of my beliefs... I have had to make choices: should I have body guards? should I have them armed or not? I’ve had people killed... because of my beliefs and their beliefs.

In November 2010, Vanity Fair published an article titled "The Heiresses and the Cult", in which Raniere's former partner Toni Natalie recalled that Raniere "had insisted she keep the body of her dead puppy in her garage freezer and look at it daily." That same month, The New York Post reported on the existence of a video in which Raniere is heard telling two followers: "I’ve had people killed because of my beliefs—or because of their beliefs." In a 2010 Albany Times Union article, NXIVM former coaches characterized students as "prey" for Raniere to satisfy either his gambling or sexual proclivities.

In 2011, Toni Natalie filed documents in federal court alleging that she had been repeatedly raped by Raniere.

Departure of Kristin Keeffe

Kristin Keeffe was a longtime partner of Raniere and mother of his son Gaelyn. The child, born circa 2007, had earlier been reported to be an orphan adopted by Raniere and Keeffe, rather than their biological child. In 2010, it was reported that Raniere had ordered that the child be kept away from peers and that he was being cared for by nannies speaking five different languages.

In February 2014, Keeffe broke with Raniere and his group. After she fled the region with her son, an email bearing her name explained: "I have full sole legal custody of Gaelyn. Keith was experimenting on him. I had to get Gaelyn away." Keeffe publicly described Raniere as "dangerous."

In 2015, it was reported that Keeffe had alleged that Raniere directed Canadian investigative firm Canaprobe to obtain financial information on six federal judges, a US senator from the State of New York, as well as a reporter, an editor, and the publisher of the Times Union. That same year, Keeffe further alleged that Raniere had planned to lure his critics to Mexico with an invitation to an anti-cult conference; once in Mexico, the critics were to be arrested on false charges by order of a judge who had been bribed.

Patent infringement litigation

In 2015, Raniere personally sued AT&T and Microsoft, alleging they had infringed on his patents. The following year, the case was dismissed with prejudice. The trial court ruled that Raniere's "conduct throughout this litigation, culminating in his untruthful testimony at the hearing on the motion to dismiss, demonstrates a pattern of obfuscation and bad faith." Raniere was sanctioned and ordered to pay $450,000 in attorneys fees.

Allegations of sex slavery and branding

Prosecution exhibit: a photograph of a DOS brand

On June 5, 2017, Frank Parlato was the first to report that there was a secret sorority called DOS and the women known as "slaves" were branded with Raniere's initials, using a hot cauterizing pen. On October 18, 2017, The New York Times published a story about the slaves and branding, and reported that the slaves were required to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information about themselves if they wished to join. At trial, the prosecution introduced a 2016 recording of a private meeting with DOS "slaves" in which Raniere acknowledged that "the monogram as it is right now is very directly related to my initials." The group discussed how to obscure the connection to Raniere's initials.

At Raniere's trial, DOS member "Nicole" recalled that when she and Raniere discussed her decision to leave the group, he said: "You guys think you have it so bad, but this is nothing compared to other subcultures."

In the wake of the article, Raniere fled to Mexico, accompanied by a few members of his inner circle.

Arrest, trial and conviction

Prosecution exhibit depicts Raniere surrounded by 'first-line slaves'

A search warrant was issued for Raniere's email account on January 18, 2018. An agent of the FBI filed a criminal complaint against Raniere with the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York on February 14, 2018.

Raniere was arrested by Mexican authorities in a luxury villa outside Puerto Vallarta in March 2018. Lauren Salzman later recalled that the arrest interfered with a planned group sex session; when police arrived, she and Raniere barricaded themselves in the master suite, with Raniere attempting to hide in a walk-in closet.

Raniere was indicted on a variety of charges related to DOS, including sex trafficking, conspiracy for sex trafficking, and conspiracy to commit forced labor. The indictment alleged that at least one woman was coerced into sex with Raniere, who forced DOS members to undergo the branding ritual alleged by Edmondson and others. United States Attorney Richard Donoghue stated that Raniere "created a secret society of women with whom he had sex and had branded with his initials, coercing them with the threat of releasing their highly personal information and taking their assets."

Raniere's federal trial began on May 7, 2019. Prosecution witnesses included Lauren Salzman; NXIVM film-maker Mark Vicente; victims "Sylvia", "Daniela", and "Nicole"; and cult educator Rick Alan Ross. The defense rested without calling any witnesses.

On June 19, 2019, the jury found Raniere guilty on all charges after five hours of deliberation. Raniere was found guilty of:

  • Sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography with regard to minor victim "Camila"
  • Sex trafficking of Nicole, attempted sex trafficking of Jay
  • Identity theft against Edgar Bronfman, James Loperfido, Ashana Chenoa, "Marianna", and Pam Cafritz
  • Trafficking for labor and services of "Daniela"; forced labor of "Nicole"
  • Conspiracy to alter records for use in an official proceeding
  • Sex trafficking conspiracy, forced labor conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy

Rainiere was sentenced to 120 years in prison on October 27, 2020.

Homicide speculation

A number of Raniere's alleged lovers suffered untimely deaths. Gina Hutchinson was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head. Kristin Snyder disappeared and was last seen at a NXIVM event. Live-in girlfriends Barbara Jeske and Pam Cafritz both died from what was diagnosed as cancer at the time, but is alleged to have actually been subtle poisoning. Raniere partner Kristin Keeffe survived cervical cancer. In 2009, Raniere was filmed claiming "I’ve had people killed because of my beliefs."

In 2019, Investigation Discovery aired a documentary titled "The Lost Women of NXIVM", speculating that Raniere committed homicide. According to that program, a woman who lived with Raniere and developed bladder cancer submitted a hair sample – that sample reportedly revealed the evidence of dangerous levels of bismuth and barium.

References

  1. Barcella, Laura (March 28, 2018). "NXIVM: What We Know About Alleged Sex Trafficking, Forced Labor". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  2. "Leader of NY Group Branded Women, Made Them Sex Slaves: Feds". nbcnewyork.com. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. March 26, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  3. ^ "Leader of NY Group Branded Women, Made Them Sex Slaves: Feds". nbcnewyork.com. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. March 26, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  4. ^ Siemaszko, Corky (May 4, 2018). "Self-help guru denies enslaving, branding women in Nxivm sex cult". NBC News. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "NXIVM TRIAL: Prosecution's opening statements lasted 90 minutes". WTEN. May 7, 2019.
  6. Moynihan, Colin (June 19, 2019). "Nxivm Trial: Leader Convicted After Trial Exposed Sex Cult's Sordid Inner Workings". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  7. Gavin, Robert (June 19, 2019). "NXIVM founder Raniere guilty on all counts". Times Union. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Hong, Nicole; Piccoli, Sean (October 27, 2020). "Keith Raniere, Leader of Nxivm Sex Cult, Is Sentenced to 120 Years in Prison". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  9. ^ "United States District Court Eastern District of New York | United States of America against Keith Raniere, Defendant | Sentencing Memorandum on Behalf of Keith Raniere" (PDF). courtlistener.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  10. ^ Bloch, Josh; Goldhar, Kathleen; Elash, Anita; Pizer, Dave (September 12, 2018). "Escaping NXIVM: Inside the secretive world of leader Keith Raniere". newsinteractives.cbc.ca.
  11. Tkacik, Maureen (August 10, 2010). "Poor Little Rich Girls: The Ballad of Sara and Clare Bronfman". The New York Observer.
  12. ^ Andrews, Suzanna (October 13, 2010). "The Heiresses and the Cult". Vanity Fair.
  13. ^ Parlato, Frank (July 13, 2018). "Univision's timeline of Keith Raniere's life". FrankReport.com.
  14. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Delving Into the Childhood of NXIVM's Leader". www.theepochtimes.com. May 28, 2018.
  15. Odato, James M.; Gish, Jennifer (February 11, 2012). "Secrets of NXIVM". Times Union.
  16. "Keith graduates" (PDF). frankreport.com. June 28, 1978. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  17. "Raniere Affidavit Ross Case". February 16, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  18. Yakowicz, Will. "When We Exposed Keith Raniere, The Leader Of The Nxivm 'Sex Cult'". Forbes. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  19. ^ ""TRANSCRIPT: Uncover: Escaping NXIVM - Season 1, EP 3". CBC Radio. April 4, 2019.
  20. Meier, Barry (May 1, 2019). "Once Idolized, Guru of Nxivm 'Sex Cult' to Stand Trial Alone". Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
  21. ^ Odato, James M.; Gish, Jennifer (February 18, 2012). "In Raniere's shadows". Times Union.
  22. Morris, Scot. "The one-in-a-million I.Q. test". Omni magazine, April 1985, pp 128-132.
  23. "Blast from the past: Complete text from 1988 Times Union article about Raniere – and his take-home IQ test". Frank Report. July 2, 2017.
  24. Johnson, Robert. "The 18 Smartest People In The World". Business Insider. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  25. McWhirter, Norris; McFarlan, Donald (1988). The Guinness book of records : 1989. Internet Archive. Enfield, Middlesex : Guinness Pub. pp. 16.
  26. Roger D. Carlson (1991). Daniel J. Keyser; Richard C. Sweetland (eds.). Test Critiques (Volume VIII ed.). PRO-ED. pp. 431–435. ISBN 0-89079-254-2. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  27. Castles, Elaine E. (June 6, 2012). Inventing Intelligence. ABC-CLIO. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-4408-0338-3. Retrieved August 31, 2013. And what is that makes Marilyn vos Savant so uniquely qualified to answer such questions? There is only one reason: she is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest IQ ever recorded. Never mind that this record is based on a nonstandardized test put out by an obscure group known as Mega, supposedly the world's most selective organization of geniuses. Ignore the fact that test scores at the extreme ends of any distribution are notoriously unreliable. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |lay-url= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |laydate= ignored (help)
  28. "The making of Vanguard". culteducation.com.
  29. ^ "Rochester woman tells all about life with NXIVM's Keith Raniere, her ex". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  30. ^ Freedman, Michael (2003). "Cult of Personality". Forbes.
  31. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (November 12, 2017). "Law enforcement has fielded NXIVM complaints for years". Times Union.
  32. Parlato, Frank. "Cult of NXIVM Series Part 8: The Relentless Pursuit of Enemies". artvoice.net.
  33. "How Allison Mack Ended Up Involved With an Alleged Sex Slavery Ring". E! Online. April 24, 2018.
  34. "34 - EXCLUSIVE: Toni Natalie, Keith Raniere's Ex-Girlfriend, On NXIVM". RadioPublic.com. May 15, 2018.
  35. ^ "Who is Keith Raniere? Self-help guru accused of sex trafficking". Newsweek. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  36. A&E Cults and extreme believes S1E1, aired May 28, 2018, last accessed May 30, 2018, https://www.aetv.com/shows/cults-and-extreme-belief/season-1/episode-1.
  37. "The 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times. May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  38. "Her Darkest Role: Actress Allison Mack's Descent From 'Smallville' to Sex Cult". May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  39. Grigoriadis, Vanessa (May 30, 2018). "Inside Nxivm, the 'Sex Cult' That Preached Empowerment". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  40. "Raniere influenced by Ayn Rand in more ways than one: Shocking similarities seen in her and Raniere's inner circle!". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. July 23, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  41. "Natalie Jilted Boyfriend". December 1, 2011 – via Internet Archive.
  42. "2010 Forbes 400 Net Worth #136 Edgar Bronfman Sr". Forbes. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  43. Meier, Barry (August 11, 2018). "The Journey of the 'Sex Cult' Heiress: From Reluctant Recruit to Criminal Defendant". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  44. Parlato, Frank (August 25, 2019). "Gina Hutchinson: The Untold Story". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. Retrieved December 30, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. Parlato, Frank (August 9, 2017). "Was Kristin Snyder murdered? Sources claim Snyder said she was pregnant with Raniere's child right before disappearing". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. Retrieved December 30, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ^ Yusko, Dennis (February 1, 2004). "An Espian's brief life". Times Union. Retrieved October 22, 2020 – via culteducation.com.
  47. Lost Women of NXIVM
  48. Gavin, Robert; Seiler, Casey (November 29, 2019). "NXIVM insiders speak in upcoming special". Times Union. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  49. Nolasco, Stephanie (December 9, 2019). "Former NXIVM follower claims convicted sex cult leader Keith Raniere is linked to pal's disappearance in doc". Fox News. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  50. ^ Moynihan, Colin (May 28, 2019). "Sex Cult Used Spyware to Monitor Bronfman" – via NYTimes.com.
  51. "Manipulations of fortune; Daughters of business royalty, alleged cult leader at centre of lawsuit". culteducation.com.
  52. "Part 8 [Final]: In-Depth: Dani's Testimony: 'Raniere's Destructive Influence on My Sisters'". Frank Report - Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. May 27, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  53. Voytko, Lisette (June 6, 2019). "FBI: Nxivm's Leader Had 'Sex Slave' Cruise Tinder For Him". Forbes. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  54. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (October 18, 2015). "Records: NXIVM hacked billionaire's emails with Hillary Clinton, world leaders". Times Union.
  55. Parlato, Frank (December 23, 2015). "Cult of Nxivm Part 6: Raniere and the Bronfmans Try to Buy the Dalai Lama". Artvoice.
  56. Yakowicz, Will (May 31, 2019). "From Heiress To Felon: How Clare Bronfman Wound Up In 'Cult-Like' Group Nxivm". Forbes.
  57. Oxenberg, Catherine (August 7, 2018). Captive: A Mother's Crusade to Save Her Daughter from a Terrifying Cult. ISBN 9781982100674.
  58. "Suspended Lama Tenzin Dhonden Had A Lover Too!". Tibetan Journal. November 1, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  59. Carroll, Rory (November 29, 2017). "Controversial monk and Dalai Lama aide replaced amid corruption accusations". The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  60. Parlato, Frank (January 27, 2018). "Dalai Lama Secretary denies $1 million paid to speak for Raniere; Yet Dalai Lama Trust founded 10 days after Albany speech with $2 million in donations". Artvoice.
  61. ^ Parlato, Frank (February 11, 2018). "Keith Raniere revamps website, keithraniere.com". FrankReport.com.
  62. "Nxivm witness: Keith Raniere put women through brutal humiliation to 'toughen' them - The Underground Bunker". tonyortega.org.
  63. "Nine years with NXIVM". culteducation.com.
  64. Dickson, E. J.; Dickson, E. J. (May 30, 2019). "NXIVM Trial: Former Keith Raniere Girlfriend Says She Was Imprisoned for 2 Years". Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  65. "Dani: Jealous Keith Locked Himself in Bathroom When He Learned About Her Affair With Ben Myers". Frank Report - Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. May 29, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  66. Barcella, Laura; Barcella, Laura (November 21, 2017). "Is NXIVM a Cult? What We Know". Rolling Stone.
  67. MacIntosh, Jeane (October 22, 2010). "'Cult' leader Keith Raniere makes killer claim on newly released video". The New York Post.
  68. Odato, James (November 22, 2010). "Ex-NXIVM trainer: Students are prey". Times Union.
  69. ^ Lyons, Brendan J. (September 20, 2015). "Legal papers: NXIVM officials probed finances of 6 federal judges, Senator Schumer, others". Times Union.
  70. MacIntosh, Jeane (July 26, 2010). "Albany cult takes orphan". New York Post.
  71. ^ Odato, James M. (May 11, 2014). "A split from NXIVM". Times Union.
  72. Berman, Sarah (September 26, 2018). "The Alleged Plot to Put NXIVM's Critics in a Mexican Prison". Vice. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  73. "Memorandum Opinion and Order granting 158 Motion for Attorney Fees. (Ordered by Chief Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn on 9/2/2016)" (PDF). Justia.
  74. "Self-help guru must pay Microsoft, AT&T attorneys' fees for patent..." April 19, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
  75. "Part 1: Branded Slaves and Master Raniere; Sources: Human branding part of Raniere-inspired women's group". Frank Report | Investigative Journalism From Frank Parlato. June 5, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  76. Meier, Barry. "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  77. "Former NXIVM member says she was invited into a secret sorority, then branded". ABC News. December 16, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  78. Moynihan, Colin (May 26, 2019). "Nxivm Branding Was Scripted by Sex Cult Leader to Be 'Like a Sacrifice'". The New York Times.
  79. Parlato, Frank (June 9, 2019). "Part 5 [final] Nicole's Friday Testimony: Nicole Gets Branded". Artvoice.
  80. Dickson, E. J. (June 19, 2019). "Keith Raniere, Head of NXIVM and Alleged Sex Cult, Found Guilty on All Counts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  81. "Complaint and Affidavit in Support of Arrest Warrant". United States Department of Justice. February 14, 2018.
  82. Krauze, León (May 23, 2019). "How the NXIVM Cult Infiltrated the Mexican Elite". Slate. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  83. Ottaway, Amanda (March 26, 2018). "NXIVM Founder Keith Raniere Arrested on Sex-Slave Charges". Courthouse News. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  84. Melendez, Pilar (May 21, 2019). "NXIVM Leader Was Arrested Just Before Group Sex With Slaves, Ex-Member Testifies". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  85. Swenson, Kyle (March 3, 2018). "Feds say self-help guru coerced followers into sex, had them branded with a cauterizing pen". The Washington Post.
  86. "NXIVM female sex "slaves" allegedly branded with secretive group leader's initials". CBS. Associated Press. March 27, 2018.
  87. Gavin, Robert (June 19, 2019). "Raniere guilty on all counts". Times Union. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  88. Moynihan, Colin (August 28, 2020). "Nxivm 'Sex Cult' Leader Should Get Life in Prison, Prosecutors Say: Keith Raniere was convicted last year in a trial that exposed the inner workings of the group, in which women were branded and coerced into sex". New York Times. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  89. ^ Levine, Jon (December 7, 2019). "New TV special links Nxivm leader Keith Raniere to deaths of four women". New York Post. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  90. ^ Tron, Gina. "Did NXIVM leader Keith Raniere poison and kill women? That's what a documentary suggests". Oxygen.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
    Roberto, Melissa (December 11, 2019). "Sex cult convict Keith Raniere's former neighbors 'terrified' after documentary claims he poisoned women in NY home". Fox News. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
    "Is Keith Raniere a murderer? New documentary explores if NXIVM leader poisoned women". Calgary Herald. December 8, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2020.

Categories: