Nancy Durkin knew Keith Alan Raniere before he was the Vanguard. She knew him during his Consumers’ Buyline days and actually was a guest at his house at 3 Flintlock with Pam Cafritz and Karen U. She never slept with him but she got a good close at him, when he was conning her boss into surrendering his business, to be subsumed by the wily Raniere. Nancy’s insights are valuable for she saw him as a con artist even before he created his most elaborate con- Nxivm.

By Nancy Durkin
I think a lot of people are drawn to seemingly energetic groups full of “tips” for living a better life – especially in a “cheerful” environment.
I know in the Consumers’ Buyline days, Keith Alan Raniere had many awed (snowed) by his ability to present himself as a genius, including my old boss at Purchase Power.
I had an innate dislike of MLMs, but Keith had even ME thinking for a bit – briefly – … that maybe he’s on to something!
He was very persuasive.
It ought to be clear by now that his goal was always money, adulation, unlimited sex and control.
Raniere is talented on many levels, although for some reason, he unduly exaggerated those talents.
The chilling part is that his talents were used solely to further his sociopathic and destructive aims.
I have always theorized that Raniere’s goals were actually very simple:
1) He should not have to work for a living, and others should support him and wait on him;
2) He is special and so should be revered, honored, and obeyed without question; and
3) Because he is special, societal rules and values do not apply to him, so he can deceive, cheat, con, and lie to others, abuse trust, and have as much sex, pleasure, and satiation as he desires – all while living in a pedestrian, suburban house in a quiet subdivision.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing, indeed!
I mourn for those who loved and trusted him, only to be betrayed and (some) possibly killed by poison, starvation, or some form of “suicide.”
I have asked many times on this website – can anyone point to one, and I mean ONE, example of a decent, philanthropic act that KAR did, ever?
Handing out blankets?
Food drives?
Donations (other than to political parties)?
Scholarships?
Beautification projects?
Clearly, he was out for Keith and Keith alone.
If anyone has information to the contrary, I would love to hear it and consider it.
Clue: “A ten day birthday party for my wonderful self, for which my loyal, devoted followers have the privilege of paying $2K each to attend and give me gifts.”
Sounds like a strident five-year old to me.
It is so easy to now cast stones, but most of us haven’t been in a position to be affected by his spell or carefully practiced spiel.
Imagine how much energy it takes to perpetrate a lifelong fraud. I never knew his parents, but I nonetheless feel sorry for them, I am certain they did not seek to raise this kind of person. Early on, they were probably tickled to have a talented, cute, precocious,handsome only son. Thankfully it does not seem they lived long enough to see the whole truth.
Shout-out to NXIVM survivors: (I say: “Nexit-ers”) – Hang in there!
We have all done things we regret in this life. Healing is out there. Reach out to Frank; I venture to say he will help you in some fashion – if only to hear you.

Beautiful tex, Nancy. Thankyou for share us.
I think the author should take responsibility for being involved with Keith. I’ve met nutjobs. Takes me 2 seconds to be rid of them.
The author takes no responsibility. He was a client of my company and I had no control over that.
He Never Wanted to Work for a Living!’
Kind of like Jacob Blake of Kenosha Wisconsin.
Jake Blake, the clown who raped a woman and was shot in the back by cops, fathered several children out of wedlock.
Both Jake Blake and Keith Raniere were Professional sperm donors fathering children out of wedlock and leaving it to taxpayers to pay the child support bills.
Are those sashes in the “Just a beginning Vanguard” photo?
“I have asked many times on this website – can anyone point to one, and I mean ONE, example of a decent, philanthropic act that KAR did, ever?” I’ve answered many times on this website – Raniere probably helped young girls with their school work, right before he raped them – does that count? LOL How about the scene from the HBO special “The Vow,” where he helped develop a program to overcome Tourette’s Syndrome? LOL Or are two things too many to think about? How about a third one, many of the students who took only a course or two of his teachings reported improvements in their lives, as did Vicente and Edmondson? LOL
Durkin had an opportunity to be on Scott’s show a couple of years ago and like Rhiannon helping the police, she [redacted]. LOL
Nancy is one of my favorite people to read on FR. Her turning down your gracious offer to appear on the pobcast of Pete Mingles solidified this.
Keith absolutely cure me of my Tourettes ᵇᶦᵗᶜʰ ᶜᵘⁿᵗ
Durkin has no direct knowledge of any criminal activities. LOL Only that MLMs suck in general. Nothing to add to Scott’s (your) show.
—Durkin had an opportunity to be on Scott’s show a couple of years ago and like Rhiannon helping the police, she [redacted]. LOL
What an amazing opportunity…….
…..Mr. LOL
Besides your immediate family, who else listens to your show?