Clare Bronfman Released From Jail On $100 Million Bond
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Clare Bronfman, the billionaire heiress arrested Tuesday for her role leading the alleged sex-slavery cult Nxivm, was released on a $100 million bond, Crain’s reported Wednesday.
Bronfman was one of four women charged Tuesday in connection with the investigation of Nxivm, a “self-help” organization that prosecutors say was a secretive cult that branded its victims and forced them to participate in sexual acts. Its leader Keith Raniere and his top aide, former “Smallville” actress Alison Mack, were indicted and charged with sex trafficking back in May.
Dressed in a light, short-sleeved shirt, jeans and flip flops, Bronfman pleaded not guilty to a charge of identity theft, according to Crain’s. She’s not accused of sex trafficking or forced labor crimes. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Prosecutors said Bronfman was likely to flee and asked for a sizable bond to ensure her appearance for trial. She has a private jet and a stake in a private island in Fiji, they said in a court filing.
Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
