Clare Bronfman, a daughter of the late billionaire philanthropist and former Seagram chairman Edgar Bronfman Sr., was taken into custody today and charged with racketeering conspiracy.
Bronfman is accused of taking steps to help NXIVM’s leader, Keith Raniere, exercise control over members of the group, including identity theft, intercepting electronic communications and money laundering.
Bronfman’s attorney, Susan Necheles, said in a statement that her client is innocent:
“NXIVM was not a criminal enterprise but instead was an organization that helped thousands of people. The charges against Clare are the result of government overreaching and charging an individual with crimes just because the government disagrees with some beliefs taught by NXIVM and held by Clare. This is not how things should be done in America. We are confident that Clare will be exonerated,” she said.
Also arrested were Nancy Salzman, her daughter, Lauren Salzman, and former bookkeeper for the group, Kathy Russell.
In a website post last year, Bronfman called DOS a “sorority” that “has truly benefited the lives of its members, and does so freely.” She added, “I find no fault in a group of women (or men for that matter) freely taking a vow of loyalty and friendship with one another to feel safe while pushing back against the fears that have stifled their personal and professional growth.”
Frank Parlato 
Janine Morrison 
J.J. O'Hara 
Richard Luthmann 
Marie White 
Paul Serran
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Fascinating drama is unfolding now. Underneath it all, I think I was always doubtful that the feds would reach as high as Clare Bronfman. I had this sense that she could shield the Salzmans too. It is stunning to see the way things have played out.
And even more amazed and impressed by Frank Parlato’s — and his crews’ — hunting instincts. I like to see that: the power of media used to accomplish something just, even if it’s in revenge. Intense, indefatigable.
Bronfman money is like a juggernaut. You can go up against it, but if you’re the little man or woman, you can’t win. This is a tale for the ages. Jack and the Beanstalk style tale of revenge and vindication (I hope).
I wasn’t sure either! It’s amazing what Frank has been able to predict. He was certain she’d be indicted, and he was right! Well done, Frank! More evidence that this is a lot bigger than what it seemed. These Salinas connections are fascinating.
Assuming Clare’s accounts are frozen ?
Necheles speaks of NXIVM in the past tense. Is this an admission that NXIVM is no more?
It was just a little paperwork error
Yes. Slavery is good and should be done in America. That’s the way things should be done. Way to go nxivm for all your teachings. I wish you succeed on this executive success slavery branding bs. Viva la branding viva la slavery viva America. BTW ITS North America. America is way much bigger
Well, hey, glad she cleared all that up…
Now you know why Edgar Bronfman, Sr. wanted to establish a guardianship over Claire and Sara.
They are as dumb as a box of rocks.
Dumb and dumber movie was made in their honor.
I would consider this a grave insult to rocks.
Wasn’t it said that Keith was going to be released in a couple of days as it was a big misunderstanding?
Sorry but the Government is not going to spend the resources it has on a misunderstanding.
Funny how her new attorney looks like she could be the sister of the NY Magazine reporter
“government disagrees with some beliefs taught by NXIVM and held by Clare”
What exactly might those beliefs be?
1. ) That it’s OK to brand women and turn them into sex slaves.
2.) That it’s OK to practice extortion against people to enrich one’s self.
Probably the primary difference in belief is that Clare believes she is above the law.
If the Bronfman sisters had not recruited the maniac Allison Mack into NXIVM in 2006, then this craziness with torture, branding and sex slaves would not have happened and NXIVM’s more covert crimes would still be going on.
Lauren Salzman attached herself to Mack that weekend, eating meals with her. “By the end of the weekend, Lauren and Allison were like best friends,” she says. When the seminar concluded, Mack accepted an invitation to fly on the Bronfmans’ private jet back to Albany, New York, to meet Raniere in the flesh. They told her Raniere could help her with her acting career. This was a rare development, even for a VIP; most high-profile initiates had to complete at least one 16-day “intensive” at a cost of $7,500 before being granted an in-person meeting with Vanguard.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/how-smallvilles-allison-mack-went-actress-sex-cult-slaver-1112107
I had only done a 5-day when Raniere wanted to “meet” with me.
I think any woman who remotely fit the profile of what he liked got the offer.
Clare is nieve. I can’t wait to see the movie about this. LOL
I can’t believe Clare’s attorney is playing this card.
It’s not beliefs that we object to, it’s practices.