Nancy Salzman, center, arrives at Brooklyn federal court, Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in New York. Salzman, a co-founder of NXIVM, an embattled upstate New York self-help organization, is expected to plead guilty in a case featuring sensational claims that some followers became branded sex slaves. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
The process of bringing the multi-level-marketing cult NXIVM to justice has been a long one, but some progress has been made today in the sentencing of co founder Nancy Salzman.
Salzman admitted to going to extreme lengths to protect the shadowy self-help group and its deranged sex-cult leader—has been sentenced to 42 months in prison.
Nancy Salzman, 66, pleaded guilty in March 2019 to racketeering conspiracy for her role in the upstate New York group that manipulated thousands of members under the guise of personal growth through sacrifice. Prosecutors asked for a sentence on the “high end” of the recommended range of 33 to 41 months, noting that while Salzman cooperated against NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, she benefited for decades as his fiercely loyal second-in-command.
Before her sentencing, Salzman tearfully addressed the court—and apologized for working with Raniere for decades.
“I am horrified and ashamed that I promoted…him,” she said. Her daughter, Lauren Salzman, who has also admitted to crimes associated with NXIVM, was in the courtroom.
Too little too late.