Judge orders Nxivm members back in court over defense fund

Emily Saul
NY Post
February 14, 2019

The six indicted members of upstate sex cult Nxivm have been ordered to appear in court next week, when a judge will kick off his probe into their questionable pooled-together defense fund.

Accused cult leader Keith Raniere will appear in court Tuesday before Brooklyn federal court Judge Nicholas Garaufis.

“Smallville” actress Allison Mack, who along with Raniere is facing sex trafficking and other charges for allegedly running a master-slave sex ring, is due in court Wednesday.

Prosecutors have claimed the irrecoverable trust set up by their codefendant Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman could be used to coerce others, while Bronfman’s attorney Susan Necheles says the structure of the fund makes that impossible.

While the amount in the fund has not been disclosed, Garaufis revealed in January that only 25 percent of the money is left and will likely run out before trial.

Fellow Nxians Kathy Russell and mother-daughter duo Nancy and Lauren Salzman — whose lawyers are also paid by the trust — will appear for their hearings on Thursday and Friday. Russell is facing identify theft charges, while the Salzmans are accused of racketeering.

Opening statements are scheduled for April 29.

https://nypost.com/2019/02/14/judge-orders-nxivm-members-back-in-court-over-defense-fund/