Bouchey Asks Judge for Extra Time to Address Court at Bronfman Sentencing — ‘To Help Clare Understand’

Barbara Bouchey

Barbara Bouchey will be one of the 10 victims of Clare Webb Bronfman who is scheduled to speak tomorrow at her sentencing.  The judge has imposed a rule that speakers should speak no more than 10 minutes.

As of now, Frank Report does not know the identity of all the speakers, but we can confirm that in addition to Bouchey, Susan Dones will be speaking.  It is not known if Sylvie will be speaking but I would expect, since she was the only actual victim that Bronfman admitted to victimizing, the prosecution will likely want her there. Sylvie is living in England and it is not known if she can travel here.

On Friday, Bouchey asked Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis if she can have a few minutes beyond the 10 minutes allotted. Here is the letter she wrote to Frank Report explaining her reasons. It will be followed by her letter to the judge.

Barbara Bouchey with Keith Raniere when she supported him and was an integral part of Nxivm. Bouchey left in 2009.

Letter to Frank Parlato

Good Morning,

I am sharing my letter written last Friday to Judge Garaufis regarding my appearance during Clare Bronfman’s sentencing hearing when I will read my victim impact statement.

Clare was a client of my financial planning company for a brief time (2005-2009). When I resigned from NXIVM in April 2009, I also terminated our advisor relationship. I had been wanting to terminate this relationship for a year previously due Clare’s disrespectful treatment towards me, which was influenced, and directed, by Keith Raniere as he knew my leaving was imminent.

Within eighteen hours of my resignation, I received legal papers threatening civil/criminal action. Little did I know that Keith’s retaliation to silence me for being the first whistleblower would subject me to a decade of the most malicious, wrongful litigation known by any of my attorneys, which was all funded by Clare.

The degree of pain and suffering due to their vexatious litigation has caused great devastation in my life, trauma, and irreparable damage to my professional reputation and business. My victim loss declaration submitted in USA vs Raniere et al under the eligible restitution categories, which totaled $14.0 million. Most have no idea the dear price that I paid over the years trying to expose, stop, hold them accountable, and bring about justice.

I fear that Clare’s stalking of me is not over. This is evidenced in her recent filing a few weeks ago. In spite of the fact she has been under house arrest over two years, now facing many years in prison, she has found loopholes to continue falsely accusing and slandering me, along with causing me further pain and damage.

This was done by her attorney, William Savino, in his character reference letter, which Clare submitted to the court. Mr. Savino, as her attorney, filed three civil lawsuits (all were dismissed with no wrongdoing cited), launched a year-long investigation by my CFP Ethics Board (case closed due to preponderance of evidence that I provided), had me arrested for a felony (charges that I got dropped), and had extortion charges filed against me in Mexico, which are pending to this day. Thankfully, the US Justice Department has entered notes in my USA Customs record, because every time that I travel, I am brought into a back room to be interrogated suspected of being a criminal – which is terrifying.

And, I am now very worried, and terrified, after reading Clare’s attorney’s recent Memo espousing her innocence, Clare’s letter to the Judge, and her attorney’s character reference letter. I strongly believe that I will never be safe from future harm by her, and Keith.

This is the reason for writing my letter to the Judge Garaufis, and to bring forth other information I feel necessary for him in making his determination of Clare’s prison time, restitution to victims, and any penalties to be imposed.

Over the years, you have demonstrated a commitment to investigating, and reporting, NXIVM’s abuse in order to help expose and stop them – something that I am deeply appreciative of. Therefore, I have decided to provide a copy of my letter to the Judge, including my Victim Written Statement, which was submitted last December containing facts never been told before.

Within this statement, there are names of individuals who participated in Keith’s smear campaign, which started a few years before I resigned, and sadly, continues to this day. It has now been almost fourteen years that my character has been wrongfully assassinated. I have refrained from revealing unfavorable information about certain ex-members, ex-girlfriends, and bloggers in the belief that “we” are all victims of Keith in the same way. I did not want to bring further pain to anyone, and instead, chose to focus on my main objective – which was to expose and stop Keith.

Therefore, I would kindly request of you that if you write a story, to not mention specific names who participated in this smear campaign. But rather, to do so in a generic fashion. I do not wish to “throw anybody under the bus” nor cause further harm.

I feel compelled to release this information about Clare (who continues to not disavow Keith evidenced in her letter to the Judge recently and about Keith, because I am in a self-protective mode right now. I do have emotional support from friends, but I do not have anyone in a leveraged position nor from the legal realm fighting for me. I have had to represent myself in many of these litigations, was unable to afford the legal advice necessary to defend against Clare’s army of prominent attorneys, and am in that same position today.

Unfortunately, instead of being able to celebrate the victory of my abusers being arrested facing many years in prison, and one in which I should finally feel safe from further harm – I am, instead, terrified, which is triggering intense PTSD experienced for over a decade.

Thank you for all your dedication in writing about stories about NXIVM over the years, and for taking the time to consider reading my letter.

Kind Regards,

Barbara

***

Clare Bronfman, with her attorney, William F. Savino, heads into court to sue an enemy of Keith Raniere. Savino wrote a letter in support of Clare to the judge.

 

Letter of Barbara Bouchey to Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis

Re: United States v. Clare Bron/man, et al.

Criminal Docket No. 18-204 (S-3) (NGG) (VMS)

Dear Judge Garaufis

I am respectfully requesting that I be granted more than the ” ten-minute limitation ‘ to read my Victim Impact Statement during defendant Clare Bronfman s sentencing hearing on September 30th

By way of background this past Monday, US Attorney Tanya Hajjar in an email asked me ” approximately how long you would like to address the Court., to which I replied, 45-60 minutes. It appears this concerned her, and later that day an email was sent that you had, ” directed that all statements addressed to the Court at sentencing should be no longer than 10 minutes.

We had several emails, and a call in which she offered to submit a request on my behalf, or I could mail my letter direct to you. Although she did not think you would change your mind. I then emailed your Deputy asking how best to deliver my letter which prompted Attorneys Hajjar and Levy to call me. I was informed to not send a letter accepting the ten­ minute limitation. However, I still wanted to send a letter and allow for the chance you would reconsider the limitation. I was then told my letter needed to be sent to them, and they would forward it to you…

I shared with them my observation of eight Judges presiding over the Enterprise’s litigation against me, and found them to be open-minded, consider new information re-evaluate and then decide. Sometimes, they changed their minds. I have learned to not assume what a Judge thinks. It is with this understanding, that I write this letter. In no way do I mean to be disrespectful of Attorney Hajjar’ s opinion, nor of your preference for ten minutes. It is to be heard and afforded the chance you may grant more time.

If after considering my request, and still hold firm to ten minutes then I will respect and honor this.

Your Honor, this has been twenty years of having NXIVM in my life in a significant way. Most years were wrought with enormous abuse and devastating effects resulting in damages of $14 million as documented in my Declaration  of Victim Losses submitted  December 12 2019.

I am a victim of Clare who has:

  • made false allegations bringing five civil lawsuits in two state against me·
  • had my Certified Financial Planning (CFP) Ethics Board perform a year-long investigation;
  • had me arrested under a false felony charge
  • made attempts with five government agencies to have me arrested under a false extortion demand
  • but got one filed in Mexico (still pending);
  • and dragged me into six litigations against detractors labeled a “hostile witness” accused of being the ‘ring- leader” conspiring with their adversaries and the media to destroy them.
  • NXIVM and Bronfmans each filed $10 million defamation claims

It is important to note that my CFP Ethics Board had a Tribunal Trial and closed their investigation ruling in my favor. All civil lawsuits were dismissed with no wrongdoing cited.

The criminal charge was dropped. This litigation lasted eight years costing me $700,000 to defend myself. At times, I was unable to afford an attorney, and represented myself in five litigations which was a frightening, daunting task.

The most painful and damaging thing was the Enterprise’s smear campaign falsely accusing me of being a sociopath pathological liar and criminal – all to discredit and silence me. This was also propagated in my hometown [Albany] and in the courts with media coverage thereof. When ex-members left in 2017 exposing DOS, some still believing the smear campaign further fueled it. Unlike many victims in this case, my name did not remain anonymous.

Instead, I have appeared in hundreds of negative stories for eleven years. This caused irreparable damage to what once was an unblemished professional reputation for decades and to my thirty-five-year financial planning firm…

This will be the first, and only time, that I get to address the court as my abuser/tormentor Clare, is present, to share twenty years of devastating effects. Many believe that my appearance can have an impact upon Clare, and or your determination of prison time, restitution and penalties.

Barbara Bouchey

1 am sixty years old and everything that I worked hard to build has been destroyed or lost. This includes:

  • my reputation·
  • $2.0 million in retirement savings
  • 2/3rds  of my clients left with $500,000 in annual revenue from front-page news stories·
  • my company’ s valuation dropped $2.5 million,
  • my home sold at a $500,000 loss, and
  • I had to sell clothes and jewelry to raise money for legal bills.

All this loss is a direct result of the Enterprise’ s egregious litigation – which was funded by Clare.

I am told by many that the Enterprise’s retaliation to silence me is far more egregious than most having been the first whistleblower influencing eight key members to resign (aka NXIVM 9) closing down two centers, causing over I00 members to leave. The Enterprise chose to make an example out of me to instill terror in case anyone left speaking unfavorably. I have endured more than most public persecution, humiliation, and damage since 2009 for things that I never knew nor did.

I was Clare’s Financial Adviser, and she entrusted intimate details of her personal life, fears, dreams, and goals. For seven years I witnessed her develop into a humanitarian wanting to make a difference in the world. I observed Keith begin to deceive, manipulate, and take advantage of Clare. I witnessed him fill her head with false innuendo and say derogatory things about her to his inner circle, and to me. I believe if she knew this, it would deeply disturb her.

Because of my intimate relationships with the defendants, inner circle, and was Clare’ s Financial Adviser I have knowledge that refutes Clare s claims of innocence, which will be undeniable to her. I believe that I can say things in my statement before the court in a way no other victim may do – things that can help Clare to see the “real” Keith – not the false one she believes – and how he influenced, molded and used her value to carry out his secret, dark addictions abusing many women and his delusions of grandeur schemes – perhaps, most is unbeknownst to her?

Keith Raniere filled Clare Bronfman’s head with a lot of things – and she took up those things with a vengeance.

Clare is not an ordinary citizen but one born into a privileged life of wealth, power and influence. She has been horribly misled and used by Keith and lost her morality compass along the way.

When she emerges from prison, she will still possess enormous wealth and prominence in the world. I ask myself is it not incumbent upon us to help her see things about Keith how he conned and skillfully concealed from her the ‘wolf behind sheep’s clothing’?

Is it not imperative that we do everything possible to help her ‘connect the dots’ and see how she too, was a victim of Keith? To understand he had the precision of a master surgeon skillfully influencing and extolled value from her to satisfy his crazy addictions and abusive ways? If we cannot get a crack in the window I fear there may be no hope in rehabilitating her. And, when she leaves prison she might go on to do more harm – again.

I, and many others , will never be truly safe, if she does not realize all that she did. Based on her recent filings she appears to be in denial shows no remorse, and claims she is innocent.

And so, I am not a victim who wants to just share the devastation endured, but rather, I am a humanitarian who understands the wolf inside of Keith taking me years to see before leaving. I, like Clare, got involved for what I believed were programs and a philosophy to improve our lives and those of others. I still believe that deep within Clare there exists a lot of good.

She has the ability someday to accept responsibility for harm caused to many, reconcile, apologize, make amends, and rebuild her life and become a “true” humanitarian – something she still envisions for herself. I believe when I speak , that I can help her to see things – not seen before.

It is for these reasons that a ten-minute limitation is not enough time to convey what I feel is needed. And I ask, do we not owe it to Clare to have every opportunity to learn, hear, see things not revealed before? I ask, if seven weeks was worthy for a trial to prove crimes, enormous abuse and devastation to many lives – is it also not as equally worthy for us to spend a meaningful amount of time to help Clare understand how she played a key role in all of this? Can her sentencing hearing present a “fork in the road”, a crack in the window, and give her a glimmer of hope to find her way back to her “true worth” and “morality compass” – once again?

One more small request, I understand that I am allowed a victim advocate or close friend to be with me when I speak. This would bring me great comfort and help ease immense anxiety and fears about speaking publicly about very personal things – and – seeing my abuser Clare. I would like my dear friend, Ellen Holland to be next to me. I do not have good eyesight and if she were in the back-courthouse seating, then I would not see or feel her presence.

Ellen is also an ex-member and victim of NXIVM being one of the NXIVM  9 but chose to not write a victim statement. How fitting for her to be by my side as – WE – were the first courageous whistleblowers shooting a devastating blow across NXIVM’s bow creating chaos; thereby launching a campaign and media to expose them.

I am reminded of the famous quote by Margaret Mead hung in NXIVM s center:

Margaret Mead’s quote adorned Nxivm centers.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, its the only thing that ever has.”

Indeed, there is no doubt it took some very brave ex-members and others fighting mightily regardless of the risk and harm that would befall us over a decade to bring about this day – where justice has been serve d.

In conclusion thank your consideration, and I appreciate your valuable time in exploring my request which I hope you might grant. I have found you to be fair, reasonable, and thoughtful in your decisions.

I watched you each day during the trial treat all parties with respect, compassion, and dignity. You and the Prosecutor’s team have renewed my faith in the legal system and government authorities, which sadly, failed me miserably even with knowledge that the enterprise was doing corrupt, abusive things.

I am forevermore grateful that you did not turn a blind eye taking on a daunting task to hold the defendants accountable, and see that justice is served. By doing this, you gave to me, and many others a sense of safety not known in an awfully long time. I trust that you will make what you deem a fair decision regarding my request.

One more thing, I was not a part of DOS, nor did I testify. My name has been in headline news for eleven years including many parts of my victim statement. Therefore, I am fine, and request  that my  letter and exhibits be posted on Pacer.

Due to the  Enterprise’s smear campaign this could pave the way for the public to learn the true version of my story  help clarify many things, begin to restore my reputation and help me in rebuilding my life.

Respectfully submitted

Barbara Bouchey

 

 

 

 

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Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

BB, always looking for attention at the inappropriate time and hiding when she should have been looking for attention – glad the judge didn’t give it to her. LOL

Frank Parlato
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

I think Barbara came out during a lot of important and opportune times. It would take her hours to describe what Clare Bronfman did to her. But I also understand that the court was not in a position to hear longer statements. After all, the sentencing hearing took 4.5 hours as it was.

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Parlato

I say again: the NXIVM 9 should have spoken up via a website similar to this when they left in 2009. LOL

They could have told stories and presented documents that would take weeks, if not months, to read, but they were too scared and allowed this website to dominate the discussion. LOL

Frank Parlato
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

They were under siege almost from the start. I know…so was I.

NiceGuy
NiceGuy
3 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Dear LOL-BOY,

Unfortunately, the NXIVM 9 was not as fortunate as you LOL-BOY, and couldn’t latch onto an ongoing class-action lawsuit.

Not everyone is as fortunate as you. You even own a heated above-ground pool with a slide. So blessed.

NFW
NFW
3 years ago

A powerful letter, factual, coherent and devoid of nebulous bs. What comes across is Ms. Bouchey’s RESPECT for the Law and this process in contrast to the ARRANT CONTEMPT for the Law as evidenced by every single intervention served up by the nxivm cult diehards.
May you get Justice on this day, Barbara.

Mary
Mary
3 years ago

Further, while I think Clare Bronfman deserves everything Judge Garaufis gives her, if Barbara Bouchey (who I am sure has been much harmed by Nxivm and Clare) is allowed to hold forth irrelevantly to these proceedings, at least two days will have to be allocated for sentencing!!

Mary
Mary
3 years ago

This will probably be an unpopular comment but Barbara Bouchey is awfully long-winded and IMO should save her verbosity for the civil suit. Frank, I live in England so could you please explain how Barbara Bouchey deserves even ten minutes for a victim impact statement on two convictions that she was not a victim of?? Does American law say that anyone with a grievance against a convicted felon can complain about them in proceedings that have nothing to do with them? Sounds like a Wild West saloon court to me.

Angela Ucci
Angela Ucci
3 years ago
Reply to  Mary

Because..Clare got to plead guilty to 2 small infractions does not mean she is not guilty of much more. As evidenced by her attorneys filing on her behalf..she has refused to disavow Keith and claimed innocence to anything other than her 2 small addmitions. The attorneys statement is riddled with lies about her involvement…no remorse for the damages she created and the funding of litigation against Keiths perceived enemies. Clare is a danger to society and obviously hasnt seen the light. If not jailed for the max allowed she will just join the other Keith supporters to continue carrying out his crazy schemes.
She is the most dangerous co-conspirator in the bunch with her fortune. She claims she never lied in any court filings…I am one of many people she lied about. Not buying any of her claims! She is a menace, a liar, and likely a sociopath like her mentor. Hoping her wealth dosnt rescue her from accountability.

Shivani
Shivani
3 years ago

What a contrast there is, between this communication to the court and to the Judge and Bronfman’s letters of vague commendation. The harpies have offered barely any details to recommend Clare Bronfman. This has impact.

Adam Hayes
Adam Hayes
3 years ago

Look forward to Frank Report’s coverage of the sentencing tomorrow. Wish it was televised.

Kerry
Kerry
3 years ago

How and when can we listen to Clare Bronfman getting sentenced tomorrow? I’m so happy for her!

Mexican lady
Mexican lady
3 years ago

Nice letter Barbara. You are brave .

I think Barbara is an empath. Even while Claire did wrong she wants to help her . That was likely why Keith liked her . She was a delicious empath 🍰 psychopaths love empathy. God winds . Good is winning . Keep fighting Barbara

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

Clare Bronfman should be in jail for the rest of her life, she is a mentally unstable person with unlimited resources and no morals.

I really hope Barbara is able to read her statement in full. The government failed her for so many years, it would be a small justice with lasting effects.

She seems to be holding on to her own values, and in part it’s lovely and admirable, but continuing the practice of lying and covering up misdeeds without honesty and accountability will enable toxic behavior. Perhaps she’s had to let go of everything to the point of letting others work out their morals, and leaving her out of it. By not naming names, she does have leverage and possibly a bit of quiet peace.

Barbara is a fierce survivor and I hope after this she will be a fierce thriver.

Mic Drop
Mic Drop
3 years ago

See you much later Clare. Five years you can count on one hand. As it turns out, you may need to make use of the other hand to count the rest of the time.

And I hope the Judge makes her pay you the restitution, Barbara, at least this way you’ll have the resources to fight off her future litigation when she’s released one day five or so years from now.

To Madre
To Madre
3 years ago

Not to be rude here but with all that money you’d think Clare would have bought herself a new face. Ugly inside and out! Barbara should be allowed to speak as long as she wants after what they did to her. Barbara, I feel for you, I really do.

NCGirl
NCGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  To Madre

A new face will never hide the ugliness of Clare and her sister. These two not very bright, poorly educated women were weaponized to use their extreme wealth to hurt those deemed enemies by their furry, creepy master. The fact that one of Clare’s attorneys, who represented her in pursuit of Keith’s enemies wrote a letter in support of her without explaining the nature of the activities he undertook on her behalf speaks volumes. William Savino had to be aware of Clare’s lies. So does the fact that almost none, if any, of Clare’s fellow NXians who wrote letters on her behalf identified themselves as fellow members of the cult.
I hope Barbara’s testimony is powerful and influences the judge in giving her a harsher sentence. Clare is still up to her eyeballs in NXIVM, She will still do her master’s bidding. From the looks of it, so will Sara.

About the Author

Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist.

His work has been cited in hundreds of news outlets, like The New York Times, The Daily Mail, VICE News, CBS News, Fox News, New York Post, New York Daily News, Oxygen, Rolling Stone, People Magazine, The Sun, The Times of London, CBS Inside Edition, among many others in all five continents.

His work to expose and take down NXIVM is featured in books like “Captive” by Catherine Oxenberg, “Scarred” by Sarah Edmonson, “The Program” by Toni Natalie, and “NXIVM. La Secta Que Sedujo al Poder en México” by Juan Alberto Vasquez.

Parlato has been prominently featured on HBO’s docuseries “The Vow” and was the lead investigator and coordinating producer for Investigation Discovery’s “The Lost Women of NXIVM.” Parlato was also credited in the Starz docuseries "Seduced" for saving 'slave' women from being branded and escaping the sex-slave cult known as DOS.

Additionally, Parlato’s coverage of the group OneTaste, starting in 2018, helped spark an FBI investigation, which led to indictments of two of its leaders in 2023.

Parlato appeared on the Nancy Grace Show, Beyond the Headlines with Gretchen Carlson, Dr. Oz, American Greed, Dateline NBC, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, where Parlato conducted the first-ever interview with Keith Raniere after his arrest. This was ironic, as many credit Parlato as one of the primary architects of his arrest and the cratering of the cult he founded.

Parlato is a consulting producer and appears in TNT's The Heiress and the Sex Cult, which premiered on May 22, 2022. Most recently, he consulted and appeared on Tubi's "Branded and Brainwashed: Inside NXIVM," which aired January, 2023.

IMDb — Frank Parlato

Contact Frank with tips or for help.
Phone / Text: (305) 783-7083
Email: frankreport76@gmail.com

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