This past week was filled with several major developments regarding the case of the U.S. v. Raniere – and set the stage for the ultimate demise of Keith Raniere and his remaining co-defendants in that case.
As we look forward to Monday’s Status Conference – and another update on Keith’s status at the Metropolitan Detention Center, which we hope to have in the next few days – let’s take a moment to look back at what happened this week and what it portends for the future.
RE: Barbara Bouchey
The week started out with news that Barbara Bouchey would be writing a series of stories about NXIVM/ESP – and sharing her inside knowledge about what went on during the 9-years that she was part of the cult and what’s happened during the 10 years since she left and became one of Keith Raniere’s favorite human punching bags.
In the first of her stories, Barbara explained why she stayed with Raniere after she found out he was sleeping with other women. According to Barbara, that occurred about a year after she first met Raniere – and was already in an intimate relationship with him.
Given that she was one of the highest ranking members of NXIVM/ESP at the time that she quit – and given her intimate relationship with Raniere – many Frank Report readers were expecting her to provide detailed information about the cult’s nefarious activities. But according to Barbara, Raniere and the other members of this inner circle kept her totally “walled off” from any information about those type of activities.
In addition to posting her own stories, Barbara has also been diligently responding to questions from various Frank Report readers. Thus far, readers have mostly responded positively to her willingness to answer their questions – and seem to be looking forward to having her continue to do so.
*****
RE: Nancy Salzman
On Wednesday, Nancy Salzman appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis – and pleaded guilty to one count of Racketeering Conspiracy – and two related criminal acts: i.e., conspiracy to commit identity theft and conspiracy to alter records used in an official proceeding.
The announcement – which her attorneys did not share in advance with the attorneys representing Raniere, Clare Bronfman, Allison Mack, Kathy Russell, and Nancy’s daughter, Lauren – sent shock waves through the NXIVM/ESP community.
Not only did Nancy plead guilty to all the criminal acts with which she had been charged, she also did so without any sort of “plea deal” in place.
As a result, Nancy’s fate is entirely in the hands of Judge Garaufis – who reminded her on several occasions before he accepted her guilty plea that he would have absolute discretion in setting her sentence.
So, although the Federal Sentencing Guidelines call for a prison term of 33-41 months for Nancy, the reality is she could end up serving anywhere from 0 months to 240 months (Neither of those extreme is expected to be her sentence).
Most courtroom observers have assumed that Nancy will become a key witness for the prosecution. But one attorney who is intimately familiar with all the details of the case has opined that the prosecution will probably not even call her as a witness.
It’s also possible that Nancy – as well as her former co-defendants and many other people who were associated with NXIVM/ESP – could be facing a bevy of state-level charges. Although no New York State official – including the Governor, Andrew Cuomo – has ever shown any inclination to bring any charges against anyone associated with the cult, it should be noted that the new Attorney General, Letitia James, could make quite a name for herself by bringing criminal charges against high-ranking members of the cult and the slew of public officials that allowed the cult to operate with impunity for almost 20-years.
While none of her co-defendants were in the courtroom when Nancy pleaded guilty, it seems reasonable to assume that they have now all heard about the event.
And they probably have also heard about this exchange between Judge Garaufis and Nancy’s lead attorney, David Stern:
THE COURT: Are you aware of any viable legal defense to the charge (of Racketeering Conspiracy against your client)?
MR. STERN: I think we’ve thought this case through and discussed it amongst ourselves and I think on balance we’ve decided there is not a viable legal defense.
Just stop and think about that…
Nancy’s attorneys could not figure out any way to defend her against the charge of Racketeering Conspiracy – and the underlying predicate acts.
Now, think how you would feel if you were Keith Raniere, Allison Mack, Clare Bronfman, Kathy Russell or Lauren Salzman – all of whom are facing that same charge as well as many other charges.
“…we’ve decided there is not a viable legal defense”.
Wow!
*****
RE: Second Superseding Indictment
The very next day, the other shoe dropped for all of Nancy’s former co-defendants when the lead prosecutor, Moira Kim Penza, unveiled the second superseding indictment in the case.
As Nancy headed off to spend a couple of days with her elderly parents to explain to them why she is now a felon and likely headed to prison, Raniere and several of the others found out that they are now facing new charges.
For Raniere, the second superseding indictment brought a wave of very bad news. That’s because he’s now facing four new charges in addition to all the old ones:
– One count of Racketeering – and several new predicate acts;
– Two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child; and
– One count of Possession of Child Pornography.
For Mack, the second superseding indictment added one new count of Racketeering – but dropped her name from several predicate acts.
For Bronfman, the second superseding indictment added one new count of Racketeering – bur dropped one predicate act.
For Lauren, the second superseding indictment added one new count of Racketeering – and added one new predicate act.
For Russell, the second superseding indictment left her with just one count of Racketeering Conspiracy – and dropped her from any mention in all of the predicate acts.
*****
So, all in all, not a very good week for Keith Raniere AKA Federal Prisoner 57005-177.
We did, however, find out that in addition to being revered as “The Vanguard”, Raniere also likes to be called “Grandmaster” and “Master”.
I’m sure the other prisoners at the Metropolitan Detention Center will be impressed as hell by that news.
Just wanted to say that it’s possible Keith’s fellow inmates might try to give him a Cleveland Steamer.
It’s gross.
If you don’t know what a Cleveland Steamer is, try asking NiceGuy. That pervert is very well versed in such topics. He and his wife are ultra-kinky in that regard. They are probably no strangers to doing the Dirty Sanchez either.
Scott,
Your so right about our sexual proclivities. We get so dirty all the time. Can we purchase some of the few thousand bars of Amway soap,presently stored in your parent’s garage, from you ? Do you offer discounts for the old soap?
Scott by the way your “radio show”, is actually called a podcast nowadays…..
Scott why did you stay with Amway during the course two separate decades?
Scott do you fill guilty about bringing in new Amway members/employees? Or were you unable to recruit anyone besides mom, dad, and a elderly woman named Grandma?
Do you ever make sculptures or carvings out of soap or do other various arts and crafts projects using the soap?
I seldom used soap bars, just the liquid soap. I never had more than a couple of those on hand at any time and it is long gone, although I may have a little bit left over from the Pokorny v. Amway class action lawsuit. Therefore, you’re out of luck. No soap, no discounts. Plus, my mom died over a decade ago and my dad is in an assisted care facility, so they no longer have a garage. The guy who runs the show calls it a radio show, I’ll ask him about changing it to a podcast. I stayed in Amway because I, and millions of others, believed their lies. Amway has very good liars, Raniere learned well from them. I don’t fill [sic] guilty about getting people involved in what I thought was a legitimate business. Why should I? Mom, dad, and grandma (who died before I joined Amway in 1993) never signed up, we signed up several others, however. None of them relatives. I never carved any soap. Any other stupid questions? LOL
Anyone who believes the Amway schpiel is a retard. Prriod.
Am I the last one in the room to realize that Niceguy is Shadow?
Klabiger go home. You think Keith is worried? Marc has told him he is going to be acquitted. You’re the only retard that doesn’t know it. Legal expert? hmmmf!
Yeah, because defence attorneys regularly tell their clients that they will be convicted, don’t they?
Sultan Of Spank has two new aliases: “Rowan” and “Stu” over on Artvoice. He is also still using “Anonymous for Kristin”.
He is truly mentally deranged.
If Kristin Kook told him to fuck off, what would the creepy beetlespanker do?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvDJxrYhHsi/
Kristin Kreuk and Nancy Salzman.
Nancy is a fink. I’m ashamed we ever called her prefect.
Pea, what else did you expect from Hitler reincarnate —- disintegrated?
What, are you gonna let Hitler rise again if Nancy disintegrates as she IS before our eyes and comes back into power as Hitler to finish off the Jews?! The last of the chosen?!
Arise tribe of Abraham to finally defeat Nazi Nancy Salzman aka Hitler him/her self!
Pea, shut up and find the pics of Prefect with Gillibrand’s dad for Marc.
Nancy is a fink.
Nicki Clyne:
The smartest man in the world, Keith Raniere, should have known better than to make the reincarnation of Hitler his top assistant.
https://i2.wp.com/frankreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/nazi-nancy-mk10art.png?w=446&ssl=1
“But one attorney who is intimately familiar with all the details of the case has opined that the prosecution will probably not even call her as a witness.”
I thought I had read something similar in an article elsewhere regarding Nancy not testifying, they wrote it like it was fact. Could someone clarify as to why they wouldn’t? Would this be because of all the other strong evidence or to reduce the risk of her being slaughtered on the stand by the defense?
Natashka,
I think both your points are correct.
Here’s a question. When the hot tub fell through the ceiling did it affect the grand piano?
Letitia James is just as crooked as anybody else who could ever come under Cuomo. She’ll be more concerned about seeing what garbage she can try to pin on anyone even close to the Trump family just because they are still pissed Hillzilla lost.
Claviger is bullshitting FrankReport readers yet again, for the umpteenth time.
For those who don’t know, Claviger is a lowlife DEFENSE ATTORNEY who works in Albany (one of the most corrupt places on Earth).
The fact that he’s from Albany isn’t really relevant to my point of course, but hey, I can’t resist taking a jab at that scumbag every chance I get. 🙂
Here’s my REAL point:
Claviger is trying to make a HUGE DEAL out of the routine statement made by Nancy’s defense counsel —- when he told the judge that she’s pleading guilty because there’s no ‘viable’ defense to her many charges. LOL.
Well guess what?
That’s FUCKING OBVIOUS from the fact that she’s pleading guilty and accepting a fairly shitty plea deal!
If there was a ‘viable’ (potentially successful) defense then she would have either gone to trial or held out for a MUCH better plea deal, you RETARDED ASSHOLE.
FACT: Nancy was only facing around 3-5 years in prison anyway (according to sentencing guidelines) regardless of how many charges she was convicted of (i.e. her sentences would have run concurrently).
FACT: Nancy was NEVER facing “child porn” or “sex trafficking” charges which carry super-long minimum sentences.
Claviger’s ‘speculation’ that Nancy pleaded guilty because she was worried about being indicted for “possession of child porn” is nothing but BULLSHIT SPECULATION.
What did you honestly EXPECT Nancy’s attorney to say?
Did you expect him to say that he sees SEVERAL viable defenses to these UNWARRANTED charges, but that he still advised his client to plead guilty to crimes she’s not guilty of — simply to avoid a trial?
If the judge didn’t believe her admission of guilt then he couldn’t have accepted her guilty plea in the first place.
As a defense attorney, why don’t you write an article describing how YOU would defend Clare and Keith if YOU were assigned as their court appointed attorney?
To claim that you wouldn’t even attempt a viable defense for them is against your mandate.
You’re a lowly defense attorney who represents the scum of the Earth just like Agnifilo does, thus you’re equally capable of thinking up an elaborate defense strategy. So let’s hear it.
It seems to me his behavior has always been based on his access to money and the benefit to himself.
If the money ran out, he’d be more likely to take a plea.
His backers have got to be asking “how much is it worth to keep this man out of jail? Does the end justify the effort and the cost?”
Remember, Keith Raniere is now a senior citizen, a member of the 55 plus group. He’s officially an old guy. How many more years has he got and can he fulfill his ideological function from prison?
And those supporting Nxivm – still – have got to be saying, “can we function without our vanguard?” Obviously, Yes. There are probably many people lining up to assume the position.
There is a certain point where the group, the “body corporate” will realize it’s just not worth the trouble, and they will cut him free. The end that was apparent in the beginning.
There are many ethical ways to serve humanity, besides non-discriminating devotion to a flawed human being.
Anonymous, I think you are giving Raniere’s backers too much credit for rational thinking. Their motives are emotional, not rational. Raniere is more than just a human being to them.
The organization may survive in some form as a self-help group, by people who have already defected or were not in the inner circle. But I doubt that Raniere’s loyalists will be a part of that.
A question for those with better US law knowledge. In racketeering / RICO cases does everyone bar those who have taken plea deals get the same jail tiime if found guilty? How long could this end up being now the new additional charges have been brought?
Everybody is sentenced separately. It depends how much they were involved, how many charges they were found guilty of, circumstances, etc.
There are lots of factors that will affect the sentences that are meted out in this case. Here are a few of them:
– Those who plead guilty will usually get a downward departure for admitting their guilt – which will automatically reduce their recommended sentence under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines (Nancy got a 3-level downward departure).
– Those who go to trail will often get the maximum sentence for any crimes for which they are convicted.
– The maximum sentence for Racketeering Conspiracy is 20-years (All five defendants are facing this charge).
– The maximum sentence for Racketeering is 20-years (Everyone except Kathy Russell is facing this charge).
– The maximum sentence for Sex Trafficking is life imprisonment (Keith and Allison are facing this charge).
– The maximum sentence for Sex Trafficking Conspiracy is life imprisonment (Keith and Allison are facing this charge).
– The maximum sentence for all the other charges is 20 years or less.
– Whatever sentences are meted out will likely run concurrently.
There are lots of other personal factors that will be part of the Presentencing Report that is put together for each defendant who is convicted. But there’s really no way of knowing what all of those are right now.
So basically everyone who doesn’t plea (apart from Kathy who apparently did serve as a servant/prisoner to Nancy maybe just as long anyhow) is going to prison for at least 20 years?! Wowzers and that is gonna suck
Question to Pea and fellow NXIVM’s including friends and family, where do you see CB, LS, AM, KR and KAR in the future?
Freeeom and justice for all.
Tehe Pea. To answer your question from another article, would Adolf Hitler have been evil if brought up differently? IMO yes.
To back this up with more evidence Anders Brevik and that nutcase in New Zealand were brought up just like everyone else in modern times.
The point being some people are just… evil.
Not technically correct KR.
To begin, the Sentencing Guidelines are now advisory, not mandatory. However, any sentence within the Guidelines carries a presumption of reasonableness. In addition, with mandatory minimums, it does not matter what the PSI/PSR (Pre-sentence Investigation or Report) recommends. If the crime has a mandatory minimum of 10 years, the Defendant will serve those 10 years. The mandatory minimums are set by Congress, not the Courts.
If a first-time offender is found guilty, it does not mean the person will get the maximum sentence. It only means that at sentencing, the Judge has discretion to sentence within the Guideline range. Now, the Judge can downward depart (reduce the sentence) or upward depart (increase the sentence), based on the severity of the crime, sentencing factors, violence, etc.
However, the PSR will already calculate the recommended range based on the person’s Criminal History Category (column) and the base offense level (row). The base offense levels are found in the US Code for each Federal crime.
As bad as Lauren, Kathy, Allison are – they will NOT get the maximum sentence, because they are first-time offenders. And then that upward departure of max sentence would also not have the presumption of reasonableness. In that instance, the sentence can be appealed on the basis of sentencing error.
The exception to the mandatory minimum is use of the ‘safety valve’ or ‘substantial cooperation’. Thus, the Sentencing Guidelines have a built-in incentive to make the Defendants plead and testify.
Lastly, the Judge has the discretion to stack the sentences and have then run consecutively. However, this is extremely rare. Typically, if a Defendant is convicted on multiple counts, the Defendant’s time at BOP will be calculated on the count with the longest sentence.
I never said that the “Federal Sentencing Guidelines” are mandatory (As the name suggests – and as you correctly noted I never said that the “Federal Sentencing Guidelines” are mandatory (As the name suggests – and as you correctly noted – they are merely advisory). What I did say is that “Those who plead guilty will usually get a downward departure for admitting their guilt – which will automatically reduce their recommended sentence under the “Federal Sentencing Guidelines”. That is an accurate statement – and it’s exactly what happened in Nancy’s case
And while you’re also correct that some federal crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences, I don’t believe that any of the crimes that have been charged in this case have that attribute (I have not looked at each of the eleven counts regarding that issue but I will certainly do so – and post whatever I find out). FAMM has a pretty decent summary about mandatory minimum sentences at: https://famm.org/our-work/sentencing-reform/sentencing-101/
And while you may not believe it’s true, I can assure you that federal defendants who go to trial and are convicted often end up with the harshest possible sentences (Even if they’re not maximum sentences, they definitely trend in that direction). If that weren’t the case, then no one would ever take a plea deal.
Finally, I agree with you that it is very unlikely that Judge Garaufis will stack the sentences for any defendants who choose to go to trial – and are convicted of multiple crimes. Part 2 of the recent Manafort sentencing was definitely the exception, not the rule.
Didn’t Manafort go to trial and get convicted but only got sentenced to less than 4 years when the Fed. guidelines gave a range of 19 to 24 years. Considering Keith is a white male, perhaps he’ll have a judge who will also think he has lead an otherwise blameless life.
What is happening with Frank’s trial? Since he’s not pleading guilty will he get the max of 15 years or whatever if he’s found guilty or get the white-collar, white male tap on the wrist sentence. Since Frank’s been arrested and named in more than a few non-NXIVM lawsuits though, maybe the judge won’t find he’s led a blameless life or will his helping to expose NXIVM get him brownie points?
After the DOJ gets done with Raniere, there won’t be enough time left over for “an otherwise blameless life.”
In Frank’s case, the DOJ asked the judge for a trial date a couple of weeks ago, as all pre-trial issues have been settled. Which other non-NXIVM lawsuits are you referring to?
Claviger go home. Keith will even if the score with you and the moronic Heidi the bats hit Barbara and the crap filled Frank Parlato. Bronfman and Keith forever.
@Pea Onyu : Your “Keith” is already rotting in Hell and his suffering will be beyond your crooked imagination.
He will suffer and suffer and suffer again until his soul simply dissolves in Hell.
You can feel it but you don’t accept it. You came here to spread your lies and your vain attempt to lie to yourself, but you know it: There is no one and nothing that can help him from escaping his fate. This is called karma.
So abandon all fate to see him free. Free he will never be. Keep away from that hellish path, so-called “Pea”, you can still save your own soul…
And he’s not a martyr. He’s just a diabolical being. Too many people have suffered because of his machinations.
Like one said : If you dance with the Devil…
Actually, it’s not called karma. It’s called justice.
No he won’t suffer he will get even with you for your comment. Grow a set and let the world know Keith will not go down. Nancy is wicked.
Ask Bubba if Keith goes down….
Raniere has to go down, or get a broken arm and/or leg.
Pea you just made a threat online which I intend to report to LE.
They can subpeona the records, trace you electronically.
You need to be careful with your threats.
You actors and actresses are making yourselves hated more and more each day.
Some advice? Stop posting and seek mental help.
Keith will even if the score with you
Pea, aka Nicki Clyne:
That’s the problem with Keith.
He has to even the score with everyone.
Have you never heard the words of Gandhi?
“An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”
Keith will be too busy keeping Bubba at bay to even any score.
..the “mighty” Raniere has stuck out.
Klaviger – you missed a count. One count of visa fraud against Raniere and Bronfman, presumably regarding Marianna Fernandez. Fernandez is not named as a defendant but in the least she’ll never be allowed in the U.S. again.
Are you referring to a “Count” or a “Predicate Act”? Either way, please provide more detailed information so that I can check it out.
Not that she would be able to be with anybody she knows if she was allowed in the country, except during visitation times.
If el chapos family got humanitarian visa in order to visit him, I think she can ask for one too. Ironic but still true.
Has a nice ring to it. What’s the word on Crybaby from MDC?
This is the passion of Vanguard. It will soon be over. Nxivm is not dead. We are still united. Only Nancy has taken the fall. Vanguard will lead us in person and we will have vanguard week this year. He has promised us this. #believeourVanguard.
@Pea Onyu (ep.2) : According to the Kübler-Ross model, it seems that you’re stuck at step #1 : Denial.
Your “Vanguard” will die in jail : Stabbed, strangled, poisoned or by any other natural or so-called “natural” casualty.
You’ve got to accept it.
The only thing he will do for you will be to drag you with him while falling to the coldest and the darkest Hell…
Turn around, just flee as fast as you can !
Period.
Death would be a victory for Pea, because then Raniere could rise on the 3rd day.
And I always heard that hell is plenty warm, and has plenty of light because of the fire.
This is the passion of Vanguard.
Pea, aka Nicki Clyne:
The passion of the Vanguard was for teen age girls.
In honor of Raniere, some NY microbrewery should create the “Vanguard IPA”, which has an arrestingly hoppy taste with a slight conviction of citrus blends. Singlecut? Ithaca? How about it?
Plus, a distinct absence of garlic.
They really should put him on suicide watch. If not he’s liable to take his life
That would be very unfortunate. Think of all of the taxpayer money that would be saved if the dirtbag offed himself.
Nah, Keith thinks too much of himself.
Besides, how can he wow us in court with his high IQ?
I envy R9berta Glass having a ring side seat to when this comes to trial.
Hope I live long enough to listen to tjose podcasts.
He doesn’t have the cojones. Most people who do it can’t do it sober.
The gangsters in jail just may ask him to show them how he made those girls call him master
I think the gangsters in jail will show Raniere how they are his master.
It’s entirely possible that Nancy and the documents contained in Clare’s Clifton Park storage unit can point the Feds in the direction of new crimes committed by NXIVM and its top members resulting in a new grand jury and new indictment.
The money laundering, tax evasion schemes, and payoffs to local officials will definitely provide interesting fuel for the Federal machine.
Yes, I hope the hell they investigate the local and state officials whose pockets were lined with corrupt NXIVM loot. Unless that happens, there will be only limited justice while the real criminals continue to pillage society.