Classmate Reveals Shock at Discovering Lauren Salzman’s Dark Turn into NXIVM Cult; But May Not Know She Sunk Raniere

September 15, 2023

A feature story in BoredPanda, entitled “30 People Reveal The Most Surprising Transformations They’ve Seen From Former Classmates At High School Reunions,” includes an account from someone who knew Lauren Salzman, from the 3rd grade through high school.

The daughter of NXIVM’s president Nancy Salzman, Lauren was the director of education and a First Line slave of Keith Raniere in DOS,.

The classmate was shocked to discover, upon reconnecting at the 2o-year high school reunion, that Lauren was deeply involved in the notorious NXIVM cult.

Her schoolmate wrote of her:

I went to my twentieth [high school reunion] about five years ago. The woman [Lauren] organizing the event was in my class since 3rd grade, and was always bright, intelligent, charming and pretty.

She was very active in high school and by all counts had a very bright future.

Speaking to her at the reunion, it seemed that had happened for her. We talked about her self help/life coaching company and how they are growing and doing great. I asked her to send me more information when I got home (which is on the other side of the country).

I got an email from her introducing me to her west coast partner who’s email was from the url ESPLosAngeles.com which I thought sounded very contrary to what I was expecting.

A quick look at their web site had me immediately worried and a short google later I saw that they are an offshoot of the NXIVM cult that has been all over the news.

The woman I was talking to, that I knew since age 8, was Lauren Salzman, who just this week pleaded guilty to holding two sex slaves locked in a room for two years.

She was trying to recruit me and basically everyone at the reunion into NXIVM! I ‘noped’ right out of that email conversation and have been watching everything unfold for the last five years. They are all looking at some serious jail time now.

Lauren Salzman and Allison Mack

Lauren pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges in April 2019. She cooperated with the government’s investigation and was the sole cooperating witness for the prosecution.

Lauren testified for four days at Raniere’s 2019 trial. Her emotional account detailing years of abuse was instrumental in securing Raniere’s conviction on multiple counts, including sex trafficking and racketeering.

The judge stopped her cross-examination, fearing she might have a breakdown, when Ranier’s attorney asked her if she meant to harm others. This led to Raniere’s appeal based on the due process issue of the right to confrontation of witnesses and the prejudicial effect it might have had on the jury.

Lauren Salzman and Keith Raniere

Judge Nichalos G. Garaufis sentenced Raniere to 120 years.

Before her sentencing, where she faced more than a decade in prison, Salzman wrote to the judge, “I do not have enough tears for how deeply sad, ashamed and regretful I feel.”

Prosecutors requested a reduced prison sentence for Salzman because of her “credible, detailed testimony”, noting that she even provided evidence against her friends, family and mother.

At her sentencing, her defense team cited her ongoing efforts to turn her life around, including undergoing therapy and her new-found work as a dog groomer. 

Lauren Salzman in a recent photo….

Judge Garaufis citing Salzman’s “central” role in the prosecution of Raniere and her long victimization by him, sentenced her to five years probation and 300 hours of community service.

 

 

 

author avatar
Frank Parlato
Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist, media strategist, publisher, and legal consultant.
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Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

They are all bimbos. Lauren, Michelle, Nancy, Claire, Sara, Allison, Nicky, and so on. Keith knew that, otherwise, they wouldn’t have been there.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

How was (is) the relationship between Nancy and Clare? Did they like or despise each other? Allies and friends, or jealous of each other’s relationship with Keith? Guess what I’m asking is, Is there a chance these two would team up for a resurrected Executive Success Program after Clare gets out?

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Esp 2.0. Or they just might call it Tofutti: The Sequel

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Well Keith had Buyers Buyline and was told not to do another MLM…and so he did anyway. The government won’t stop anyone.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Meant to say consumers buyline.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Lauren is a narcissist. She does well in life because she is an amazing bullshit artist with a smile. She has a high IQ and very aware of her actions.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Precisely! Testament to your rare intellectual insight stands her new role in the labour force!

Pilgrim
Pilgrim
2 years ago

She is #1 og Clare’s hit list.

As much i don’t care for Lauren, I do worry Clare will have her killed. Lauren betrayed Squarefoot. Clare is infuriated she busted up their immigration fraud ring.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Pilgrim

Nah….Lauren is fine. Lauren and her sister Michelle are just narcissist spoiled brats. Clare won’t waste her time with two scumbags.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Why not? She wasted her time–and money–with one massive scumbag. So what’s the diff? One gigantic scumbag she can no longer cohort with, or two smaller scumbags she can team up with?

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

I predict Clare just hires Nancy, Lauren, and Michelle and just sets up a new rebranded nxivm 2.0.

Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago
Reply to  Pilgrim

After spending that much time behind bars, I doubt Clare will have a list to attack anymore. There’s too many to waste time on
Sarah, Lauren, Nancy, Sylvie, Mark, Nippy, India.
I think she will leave with the sunset

Lamar
Lamar
2 years ago

I had to back away because of Bangkok. A very jealous individual.

StevenJ
StevenJ
2 years ago

She looks rested and healthy in this recent photograph. Those Salvation Army boxes in the back don’t accidentally contain bundles of dollars I presume?

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  StevenJ

As a matter of fact they contain L circumference sized condoms.

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