NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is speaking out for the first time in nearly one year.
The founder of the multilevel marketing company turned recruitment arm for secret societies engaged in human trafficking was arrested over two years ago. He was charged with sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, and racketeering.
The heinous story of how women looking to better themselves were drawn into a sex-trafficking cult has been documented in HBO's The Vow. The documentary followed former NXIVM members as they came together to take Raniere down for his manipulation and sexual abuse.
Some recent words from Raniere were featured in the documentary's finale. It included excerpts from a September 2020 phone call where he says the documentary's telling of events only scratches the surface.
Raniere shared his side of the story during an interview with Dateline. The interview aired just days before Raniere's sentencing on October 27. Prosecutors are pursuing a life sentence.
NXIVM founder Keith Raniere is letting his thoughts out ahead of his sentencing date. The man found guilty of sex trafficking, forced labor conspiracy, and racketeering is due to be sentenced on October 27. In the two weeks before his sentencing, he's seized two opportunities for his voice to be heard.
In a rare interview for Dateline and NBC News, Raniere affirmed his belief that he is innocent. It's one of the few times Raniere has spoken out since his arrest in March 2018. He spoke with journalist Frank Parlato, who was involved with the so-called personal development organization for a brief time.
"You know, one of the things that's most important in our country is the justice system. And although, you know, people can hate me and, do, and think I'm an odious type of a character, you know, awful actually," Raniere said.
"Both the devil and a saint should be able to get the exact same treatment under our justice system."
Raniere launched NXIVM (pronounced Nexium) in 1998 with former psychiatric nurse Nancy Salzman. The self-help multilevel marketing company was supposed to help empower people through Executive Success Programs, workshops designed to help participants actualize their potential. The workshops cost up to $7,500 per person.
Throughout the years, NXIVM was exposed for what it really was. By the mid-2000s, it was widely seen as a pyramid scheme. Later on, it was also exposed for human trafficking and other activities that qualified the group as a cult. Women shared heartbreaking stories of sex abuse and branding.
Despite that, Raniere maintains his innocence and plans to speak on it at his sentencing.
"I am innocent," he asserted.
"And although it is, this is a horrible tragedy with many, many people being hurt, I think the main thrust of this has been the oppression but really a different issue, which is hard for me to express."
"There is a horrible injustice here," he continued.
"And whether you think I'm the devil or not, the justice process has to be examined."
That said, some remorse does exist.
Raniere was regretful of his role "in all of this pain and suffering. I've clearly participated. I've been the leader of the community."
Raniere also capitalized on another opportunity to speak. He spoke by phone in the finale of HBO's The Vow, the nine-part documentary about NXIVM.
"There are many ways of presenting a documentary. Your side is only the very top layer," he's heard saying at the end of the final episode of season one. The call was said to have taken place last month.
"And depending on what you're willing to present as the truth, it can go very deep. So talk to me."
The show's second season is set to air in 2021. HBO says the season "will offer an exclusive view into Raniere's innermost circle. It delves into the stories of NXIVM's top leadership in the U.S. and Mexico, and into powerful, intimate stories of DOS members."
By then, we'll also know Raniere's fate and what he had to say with his courtroom statement.
