When NXIVM was exposed as a cult dealing in sex trafficking in 2017 by The New York Times, its top members and their shady dealings were also exposed – including “Smallville” actor Allison Mack. In HBO’s docuseries “The Vow,” which premiered in 2020, viewers saw how leader Keith Raniere convinced people to join and how Mack helped draw women in. The organization, which claimed it was for empowerment and finding control in your life, turned out to be something much darker. Mack and Raniere eventually went to prison for their roles in the cult. On July 5, news broke that Mack had been released from prison early. Here’s a rundown on what Mack’s role was and how she ended up behind bars.
What Was Allison Mack’s Role in NXIVM?
Mack was originally recruited to NXIVM by her “Smallville” costar Kristin Kreuk in 2006, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Kreuk brought Mack to a NXIVM meeting in Vancouver, and the leaders of the group – who knew she was coming – swooped in to hook her. And while Kreuk – as well as many other actors who joined NXIVM – didn’t stay with the group for long, Mack found herself moving up the ranks to become Raniere’s go-to for recruiting new members.
Why Did Allison Mack Go to Prison?
NXIVM was blown wide open in 2017 by The New York Times, which reported that women had complained about being branded and forced to share intimate details and pictures of themselves as collateral to join, only for the women to be told by several authorities that nothing could be done to stop Raniere. The uproar worked, though, and in 2018, Raniere and Mack were both arrested. They were indicted on three felony counts of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor. What’s worse is that Mack, along with Raniere, was believed to be running the “secretive sex cult” within the NXIVM structure called DOS, or Dominus Obsequious Sororium, or Master Over Slave Women, The Hollywood Reporter wrote at the time. This subcult was also known as The Vow.
After her arrest, Mack was released on $5 million bond and pleaded not guilty in her first court appearance. In 2019, however, Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering. On June 30, 2021, Mack was sentenced to three years in federal prison for her involvement with NXIVM. Mack faced a maximum of 17 years in prison, but her sentence was reduced as prosecutors noted that she “provided substantial assistance to the government” in its prosecution of her codefendants, per ABC.
On July 5, news broke that Mack had been released early from prison. According to The New York Times, she served two years of her three-year sentence. Raniere, meanwhile, is still serving his 120-year prison sentence.
