London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Oct 02, 2026

Seagram’s heiress Clare Bronfman sentenced to more than 6 years for role in Nxivm sex cult

Seagram’s liquor heiress Clare Bronfman on Wednesday was slapped with a stiff sentence of more than six years behind bars for her role in the Nxivm sex-slave cult.
The 41-year-old’s eyes widened as Brooklyn federal court Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis announced her 81-month stint — after he laced into her for an hour, saying she used her deep pockets to help silence the group’s victims and critics.

The scion had “used her incredible wealth and attempted to use her social status and connections not only to support Nxivm’s work, but also as a means of intimidating, threatening, and exacting revenge upon individuals who dared to challenge its dogma,” he said.

Dressed in a pink shirt, billowy black pants and a floral face mask, Bronfman — who had been under house arrest at her city luxury apartment and owns an island in Fiji — was immediately taken into custody by US Marshals.

Bronfman pleaded guilty last year to charges of conspiracy to conceal and harbor an illegal alien for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification, admitting she committed credit card fraud on behalf of cult leader and convicted sex-trafficker Keith Raniere.

But prosecutors have said that Raniere — who ran a master-slave group within Nxivm called DOS, where women were branded with his initials and forced to sleep with him — could not have committed his crimes without the help of Bronfman and her $210 million fortune.

Before her sentence was handed down Wednesday, nine women who were victimized by Nxivm also tore into Bronfman, calling her a “dangerous megalomaniac” and “predator.”

According to the judge, federal sentencing guidelines had called for Bronfman to receive up to 27 months behind bars, while prosecutors had sought five years.

Bronfman’s own lawyers had sought three years of probation, denying she knew anything about DOS.

But Garaufis — who also ordered a $500,000 fine — wasn’t swayed.

“Ms. Bronfman came to learn details about DOS and faced a choice as to whose interests she would protect: Raniere’s or his victims’,” the judge said. “She chose Raniere unequivocally, and to this day she has not clearly apologized.”

Her lawyer said he would immediately appeal.

“The decision was clearly an abomination. It was outrageous. It was a miscarriage of justice, to go three times above the sentencing guidelines was totally uncalled for,” said attorney Ron Sullivan.

Bronfman is the first top Nxivm member to be sentenced in the case. Five others, including Raniere and former “Smallville” TV actress Allison Mack, who pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy charges, are still awaiting their fates.

As a high-level member of Nxivm, Bronfman brought young women into the country illegally, prosecutors said.

Bronfman, once a top equestrian with her sights set on the Olympics, recruited one wannabe professional horse-rider into Nxivm — but the woman was eventually groomed for Raniere’s perverted sexual pleasure, according to court testimony.

The woman told the court during Raniere’s trial that she became a “slave” in DOS — then was ordered to “seduce” Raniere.

Prior to being sentenced, a tearful Bronfman gave a statement to the court, in which she admitted to making “mistakes.”

“I’m immensely grateful and privileged that people all over the world are praying for me because they know my goodness,” she said.

“It doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes, I have made mistakes…”

She then directly addressed one of her victims, identified as Jane Doe 12, an immigrant from Mexico who Bronfman recruited to work for a Nxivm-affiliated company — while refusing to pay her a living wage.

“I’m truly sorry for all your hardship and pain I have caused,” Bronfman said, her eyes welling with tears. “I hope you can forgive me and live a happy life.”

But the judge didn’t buy Bronfman’s mea culpa, appearing to see it as a continuing manipulation of the victim.

“Jane Doe 12 was affected by that. Bronfman is doing again what she did then. This judge is not blind Ms. Bronfman. I saw what you just did and I’m speechless,” he said, before shaking his head.

Raniere, 60, who was found guilty of charges including racketeering and sex-trafficking last year, faces up to life in prison when sentenced next month.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Councils to Receive Sweeping Planning Powers to Ban New Vape and Betting Shops
Chancellor John Healey Faces Tax and Pension Scrutiny Ahead of Autumn Budget
Metropolitan Police Apologise for Accidental Disclosure in High-Profile Investigation
UK Universities Report Record International Enrolment as Housing Pressure Grows
UK Logistics Firms Monitor Rhine Disruption as Low Water Threatens European Supply Chains
UK Food Industry Warns Inflation Could Approach 7%
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and Mandatory Retail Stamps
Scotland Raises Property Taxes and Expands Child Payment in Annual Budget
Greggs Plans Four Factory Closures With 740 Jobs at Risk
OECD Raises UK 2026 Growth Forecast to 1.1%
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% as Bank of England Faces Rate Debate
Andy Burnham Criticises Brexit and Says Rejoining EU Single Market Remains an Option
UK Imposes New Sanctions on Russian Military Networks and Propagandists
UK Launches Nationwide Early-Release Prison Scheme
Andy Burnham Says Security Services See Signs of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Incident
Manchester City Found Guilty on Premier League Financial Charges After Independent Investigation
Scottish Court to Rule on Bid to Force No-Confidence Vote Against Aberdeen Council Co-Leader
UK Bans Extra Charges for Seating Children Under 12 Beside Accompanying Adults
UK Introduces Vaping Duty and New Licensing Requirements
Greggs to Close Four UK Factories and Cut 740 Jobs
Hundreds of Prisoners Released Early as England and Wales Prisons Reach 98% Capacity
UK Unveils New Russia Sanctions Targeting War Funding and Shadow Fleet
Burnham Says There Are Strong Indications of Iranian Involvement in RAF Fairford Security Breach
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Raises Prospect of Reviewing Britain's Post-Brexit EU Relationship
Markets Price in Bank of England Rate Increases as Inflation Rises to 3.1%
UK Borrowing Costs Climb Toward 5.5% as Global Bond Sell-Off Intensifies
UK-France One-In-One-Out Migration Agreement Expires as London Seeks Alternative Measures
Southwest England Faces Flood Alerts After Heavy Autumn Storms
UK Expands Funding for Rapid Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Welsh Government Approves Funding to Upgrade South Wales Transport
Northern Ireland Tensions Rise as Orange Order Rejects Drumcree Compromise
NHS Leaders Back Early Design of Proposed National Care Service
More Than One-Third of Regional UK Universities Face Financial Deficits
UK Current Account Deficit Narrows as Cross-Border Financial Flows Remain Strong
Bank of England and FCA Issue New Rules for Stablecoins and Digital Assets
MI5 Warns UK Universities Over Research Links With Chinese Institutions
UK Energy Price Cap Rises 4% as Electricity VAT Is Temporarily Suspended
Equity Calls for UK Personality Rights to Protect Performers From AI Replication
OpenAI Pauses Advanced Model Training Following Safety Concerns
Scottish Government Proposes Replacing 32 Councils With Larger Regional Authorities
Ofgem Raises UK Household Energy Price Cap by 4% From October
UK Counter-Terrorism Police Continue Investigation After Five Arrests Near RAF Fairford
OECD Cuts UK 2027 Growth Forecast to 1%
Labour Says State Pension Triple Lock Remains Protected Through Current Parliament
Andy Burnham Pledges National Care Service With Free Social Care in England
Six Flags Permanently Shuts Landmark X2 Roller Coaster Following Safety Scandals
Metropolitan Police Rule Out Terrorism in Golders Green Stabbing Investigation
Lithium-Ion Battery Identified as Cause of Fatal Merseyside House Fire
UK Department Rejects New Sea Use Framework Due to Stakeholder Fatigue
Major Thames Water Pipe Burst Causes School Closures in London
×