NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 06: Actress Allison Mack leaves the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse with her lawyers after a court appearance surrounding the alleged sex cult NXIVM on February 06, 2019 in New York City. Along with Clare Bronfman, heiress of the Seagram’s liquor empire, Mack and other defendants were arrested last year and accused of having helped operate a criminal enterprise for self-help guru Keith Raniere, who has been charged with sex trafficking. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Allison Mack has pleaded guilty to blackmailing two women as part of an alleged New York sex cult.
Prosecutors have called it a racketeering operation, that carried out sex trafficking and other crimes.
In a statement, Allison admitted to recruiting women by telling them they were joining a female mentorship group.
Allison is one of six people facing criminal charges as part of an investigation into Nxivm.
Prosecutors allege the group mirrors a pyramid scheme. The members were said to have paid thousands of dollars for courses to rise within its ranks.
Keith Raniere is alleged to be at the top of this structure.
Female recruits were allegedly branded with Mr Raniere’s initials and expected to have sex with him, as part of a slave and master system.
Fighting back tears, Allison said she had joined the organisation, led by self-described spiritual guide Keith Raniere, a decade ago to find purpose in life.
“Through it all, I believed that Keith Raniere’s intentions were to help people.”
There was no mention at the plea hearing of any agreement by Mack to cooperate with prosecutors against Mr Raniere, who is expected to go on trial later this month. Mack’s lawyers declined to provide any further details about her plea deal.
Two other women charged in the case, former NXIVM executive Nancy Salzman and her daughter, Lauren, have already pleaded guilty.
Lauren Salzman entered her plea at a hearing that did not appear on any public calendar, and prosecutors had portions of a transcript blacked out. That’s led to speculation she may cooperate against alleged cult members at trial.