Smallville alum Allison Mack, who played Chloe Sullivan in the Superman-centric series, was sentenced to three years in prison for her role in the NXIVM sex trafficking and forced labor cult.
Mack was sentenced to 36 months on count 1 and 36 months on count 2, and she'll also be responsible for a $20,000 fine and 1,000 hours of community service.
NXIVM (pronounced Nex-e-um) served as a front, claiming to aid members in self-improvement. Mack joined the organization alongside fellow Smallville alum Kristin Kreuk (who left shortly thereafter) and was allegedly tasked with recruiting new "sex slaves" for the group's leader, Keith Raniere. Several former members testified to witnessing women being branded with Raniere's initials in a mock dungeon and being forced to engage in sex acts.
In 2018, Mack and Raniere were arrested by the FBI alongside several other cult members. Mack pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labor conspiracy. She was also accused of money laundering and identity fraud, and charges of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy were later added. Raniere was found guilty on all charges, which included sex trafficking, conspiracy and possession of child pornography.
Mack recently penned a letter expressing her regret for her involvement with NXIVM. "I threw myself into the teachings of Keith Raniere with everything I had," she wrote. "I believed, whole-heartedly, that his mentorship was leading me to a better, more enlightened version of myself. I devoted my loyalty, my resources, and, ultimately, my life to him. This was the biggest mistake and regret of my life. I am sorry to those of you that I brought into Nxivm. I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man. I am sorry that I encouraged you to use your resources to participate in something that was ultimately so ugly. I do not take lightly the responsibility I have in the lives of those I love and I feel a heavy weight of guilt for having misused your trust, leading you down a negative path."
If you are a U.S.-based victim of sexual assault or misconduct in need of help, contact RAINN at 800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. If you are based outside the U.S., click here for a list of international sexual assault resources.
Source: Twitter
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