Clare Bronfman, the heiress to the Seagram’s liquor fortune, was sentenced to seven years in prison for her role in Nxivm’s sex trafficking ring.
What We Know:
- Bronfman, 41, pleaded guilty to felony charges of harboring a woman who was in the U.S. illegally and fraudulently using a dead person’s identity. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis condemned Bronfman for using her wealth to participate in and protect Nxivm’s actions.
- Bronfman was a member of Nxivm for 15 years and eventually joined the executive board and bankrolled lawsuits against critics and enemies. Nxivm was a multilevel marketing company founded by Keith Raniere. It touted itself as a method for personal and professional development, but it was eventually exposed as a dangerous cult-like organization.
- Investigators found that Nxivm recruited and groomed women to be sex slaves for Raniere. Raniere was convicted in 2019 for sex trafficking, forced labor, conspiracy, human trafficking, and racketeering. Bronfman supported Raniere and used her fortune to protect and perpetuate Nxivm’s operations.
- During the hearing, several survivors offered statements of how Bronfman and Nxivm ruined their careers, relationships, and lives with their lawsuits. Barbara Bouchey, a former Nxivm member, addressed Bronfman directly, tearfully saying “You’ve been under house arrest for two years, yet you have never stopped. Will you never stop?”
- Bronfman remained quiet for most of the hearing. She responded to one unnamed survivor, saying “I truly hope you can forgive me and live a happy life.” In a letter to the court last month, Bronfman wrote that Nxivm had made her life better and that she would not denounce Raniere.
Part of Bronfman’s guilty plea is a $500,000 fine and forfeiture of $6 million of her fortune. Bronfman must also pay one survivor $100,000.
