NXIVM Update
Turn On The Hose...
Lots of updates for today, and some wrap up from yesterday. Raniere's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, began cross-examination of Mark Vicente yesterday afternoon. He finished up this morning. Agnifilo was clearly trying to make Vicente look bad - as a knowing participant in shady lawfare against perceived enemies of NXIVM. Court observer Dianne Lipson says he was only partially successful. The defense tried hard to paint Raniere as an innocent bystander of criminal acts going on around him.
Fiji Again...
Kudos to Emily Saul at the NY Post for writing numerous stories today. One describes photos introduced as evidence that Mr. Vicente took during a NXIVM event in Fiji. "Fiji?" you ask. Yup. Clare Bronfman bought an island there several years ago, basically for Raniere. It has a resort on it and, I have to admit, looks like a nice place. It's good to be in a billioniare family. It's not all in her name and apparently might snag Raniere with some financial crimes, but that hasn't come up at the trial (yet). You see, when filing for bail, Raniere failed to mention to the Feds that he owns one-third of the island along with Clare Bronfman and (probably) Allison Mack. Watch the water.
Dr. Evil...
Two doctors were NXIVM members. One, Dr. Danielle Roberts, came up in Vicente's testimony yesterday. She is the one who weilded the catuerizing pen during the agonizing ceremonies branding slaves. She is not currently charged with any crimes, but NY State medical authorities are investigating her.
Friday Court...?
Normally Judge Garaufis doesn't hold court on Fridays, but he said prior to the trial in jury instructions that in this trial there would probably be exceptions. It looks like the first one will be tomorrow, and it looks like Lauren Salzman will take the stand to testify against Raniere. There ought to be some fireworks. Lauren, daughter of Nancy Salzman, is described as a "first-line slave and master" for Raniere. Meaning she was his slave, and she had her own slaves. Yech. Nancy was in the cult first and brought her two daughters into the cult. After Nancy got a little too old for Raniere, she more or less gave her daughters to him as sex toys.
That's Odd...
In a kind of odd story today, RadarOnline has posted a story about how Allison Mack's former neighbors in Halfmoon, NY, are worried she might come back. There are pictures of her house, where the brandings took place, linked in the article. Allison is currently on house arrest at her parent's home in California. Related, Kathy Russel has requested the judge lift a no-contact order between her and Nancy Salzman. Does anyone get the idea that despite the guilty pleas, these women might be looking to get the band back together?
I've got some more digs to share, but don't know if I'll get to it today or not.
Thank you, Readers, for all your encouragement!
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