Seagram heiress Clare Bronfman becomes latest to plead guilty in connection with NXIVM sex cult

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      New York prosecutors have obtained more convictions in connection with an controversial organization linked to former Smallville actor Allison Mack.

      Clare Bronfman, a former competitive equestrian and heiress to the Seagram empire, has pleaded guilty to two criminal charges, according to Reuters.

      She's reportedly agreed to forfeit up to $6 million and spend up to 27 months in jail.

      Bronfman's father was former Seagram chairman Edgar M. Bronfman. According to Reuters, she expressed remorse.

      She was accused of harbouring an illegal immigrant and credit card fraud in connection with the now-defunct Albany-based multilevel marketing company called NXIVM, which had a Vancouver chapter. It's been called a sex cult.

      NXIVM cofounder Keith Raniere's initials were branded in the pelvic area of female members.

      They were instructed to address him as "Vanguard".

      Raniere is charged with sex trafficking, forced labour, and other charges.

      Another cofounder, Nancy Salzman, and Mack have each pleaded guilty to racketeering.

      NXIVM's Vancouver centre was cofounded by actor Sarah Edmondson.

      She later became a whistleblower, telling her story to the New York Times, which subsequently led to the criminal investigation.

      Video: Former NXVIM member and Vancouver resident Sarah Edmondson shared her story with ABC in 2017.

      According to CBC, about 1,200 Vancouver residents took NXIVM-related sources.

      Mack had a long history in Vancouver because Smallville was filmed in and around the city.

      Video: Watch Josh Bloch speak about his CBC investigation into NXIVM.

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