Clare Bronfman, heir to the Seagram’s liquor fortune, has been sentenced to 81 months in prison for role in a sex trafficking scheme.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis handed down a sentence on Wednesday with several victims providing powerful testimonies. The judge repeatedly scolded Bronfman for helping self-improvement guru Keith Raniere to turn women into sex slaves, some of which were branded with his initials. Evidence in the case pointed out that Bronfman was well aware of the sex-trafficking scheme and made no attempt at notifying authorities.
Last year, 41-year-old Bronfman admitted in a guilty plea that she harbored someone who was residing in the United States illegally for unpaid “labor and services.” She also admitted to committing credit card fraud on Raniere’s behalf.
Rainere was also found guilty last year of forcing the women within his cult-like organization, NXIVM, into sex slavery.
Bronfman acted as a sponsor for Raniere and the NXIVM, donating tens of millions of dollars to the program, which consisted of intense self-improvement workshops that prosecutors found to be nothing more than a pyramid scheme. Ex-followers also told the judge that Bronfman frequently used her wealth to silence NXIVM defectors.
Former girlfriend of Raniere and financial planner to Bronfman, Barbara Bouchey, detailed how Bronfman would utilize lawyers to threaten litigation and bring about false criminal charges. Bouchey said that the harassment has continued leading up to Bronfman’s sentencing.
“You’ve been under house arrest for two years, yet you have never stopped,” Bouchey said to Bronfman through tears at the sentencing hearing. “Will you never stop?”
During the hearing, one of the victims, who was an immigrant, detailed how Bronfman lured her into the group with the promise of a good job. However, the woman found herself being threatened with visa problems if she didn’t comply with chores and Raniere’s twisted practices.
Bronfman asked the woman for forgiveness, saying, “I truly hope you can forgive me and live a happy life.”
Bronfman was also ordered to forfeit $6 million of her fortune during her sentencing.
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