NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on a trial centered on a cult-like group based in upstate New York (all times local):
12:50 p.m.
TV actress Allison Mack has pleaded guilty in a case involving a cult-like group based in upstate New York.
Mack entered her plea to racketeering charges on Monday, shortly before federal jury selection was scheduled to start in Brooklyn federal court.
The trial is expected to detail sensational allegations that the group, called NXIVM (NEHK’-see-uhm), recruited sex slaves for its spiritual leader, Keith Raniere.
Prosecutors accused Mack of helping Raniere recruit women to a secret sub-society within the group.
Authorities say the women were branded by a surgical tool with a symbol that resembled Raniere’s initials. Mack has said in an interview that the group emphasized self-discipline and self-empowerment and she likened the branding to getting a tattoo, but cooler.
The defense says the women were never abused.
___
6 a.m.
Jury selection is set to begin for a trial featuring sensational allegations that a cult-like group based in upstate New York turned women into sex slaves who were branded with the initials of its spiritual leader.
Potential jurors will be asked to fill out questionnaires Monday in federal court in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors say the purported self-help group called NXIVM formed a secret society of women who had unwanted sex with guru Keith Raniere.
Raniere and three co-defendants including heiress Clare Bronfman and TV actress Allison Mack have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and other charges in the sex-trafficking case.
A judge hasn’t ruled yet on requests by the co-defendants to get trials separate from Raniere.
Opening statements are scheduled for April 29.
