actress Allison Mackwho previously starred in the hit TV series Smallville was released from prison today (via meeting), after serving three years for her involvement in the notorious NXIVM sect and the resulting sex trafficking charges.
What was Allison Mack accused of?
Mack was serving a 36-month sentence originally imposed on her in 2021 after being found guilty of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy related to her role in NXIVM. Prosecutors alleged Mack recruited women and used them as sexual partners for NXIVM leader Keith Raniere, who himself was found guilty of a slew of charges, including racketeering for a range of offences, sexual exploitation of a child, sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex use of forced labour. Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison for his crimes.
NXIVM has been described as a self-improvement company that was later described as a cult and pyramid scheme. Mack became involved in the group as a senior leader within the group where, according to prosecutors, she recruited women on behalf of Raniere and coerced them into sexual acts as part of an all-women sub-group called DOS within NXIVM.
The actress originally pleaded guilty in 2019 and was sentenced to a surprisingly short sentence for her role in the case against Raniere. In a letter ahead of her sentencing in 2021, Mack apologized to the many she had harmed and said her involvement with NXIVM was “the biggest mistake and regret of my life.”
“I do not take lightly the responsibilities I have in the lives of those I love, and feel a heavy guilt for betraying your trust and leading you down a negative path,” Mack’s letter read (via The Washington Post).
Prior to her involvement with NXIVM, Mack was best known for her work in the acting world, having played the role of Chloe Sullivan on the CW series Smallville and having a recurring role on the FX series Wilfred.