A Nxivm cult member who secretly pleaded guilty last week to charges of racketeering conspiracy admitted to keeping her own personal slave locked in a room for two years, newly unsealed court documents reveal.
“I knowingly and intentionally harboured Jane Doe 4, a woman whose identity is known to me, in a room in the home in the Northern District of New York,” said Lauren Salzman to Brooklyn federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis last week.
The 42-year-old defendant also admitted during the proceeding to being a member of Nxivm’s secret inner organisation, DOS, which prosecutors have accused of starving and branding women.
At least one DOS member was also coerced into having sex with cult leader Keith Raniere, according to the government. DOS was pitched as a women’s empowerment group but was actually grooming its members to have sex with Raniere, police claim.
“I’m very sorry for my poor decision-making and decisions that result in the harm to others and not the just victims in this case but to hundreds of members of our community and their friends and families as well,” Salzman said during the hearing.
Salzman’s guilty plea last Monday did not appear on any public calendar, and portions of the transcript are redacted – leading to speculation she may co-operate against her fellow cult members at trial. Salzman faces up 20 years in jail on charges of racketeering conspiracy, but prosecutors could recommend she face less time under a co-operation agreement.