Smallville actress, Allison Mack, has issued an apology ahead of her sentencing for her involvement in a sex cult. Mack is an American actress best known for portraying Chloe Sullivan in Smallville from 2001-2011. In 2018, Mack was arrested in connection to a sex cult case. The former-Smallville actress was charged with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy.
The charges stem from Mack's involvement in NXIVM, an organization that presented itself as a self-help group for women. However, leader Keith Raniere formed a sex cult within the organization called the "Dominus Obsequious Sororium" (Lord/Master of the Obedient Female Companions), in which women were groomed to become his sexual partners. These women were blackmailed, branded with Raniere's initials, and forced into sex slavery. Mack allegedly aided in recruiting women into the fake self-help group and was Raniere's associate in the operation.
As reported by THR, Mack has issued a statement of apology ahead of her upcoming sentencing in the sex cult case. In her letter, Mack apologized to the victims of NXIVM. She recounted that she was deluded by Raniere's teachings and devoted her whole self to him. She described her actions as the biggest regret of her life and apologized to the women whom she misled and exposed. She expressed guilt for her actions and indicated that she will work on trying to become a more compassionate woman. Read her statement below:
It is now of paramount importance for me to say, from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry. I threw myself into the teachings of Keith Raniere with everything I had. I believed, whole-heartedly, that his mentorship was leading me to a better, more enlightened version of myself. I devoted my loyalty, my resources, and, ultimately, my life to him. This was the biggest mistake and regret of my life. I am sorry to those of you that I brought into NXIVM. I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man. I am sorry that I encouraged you to use your resources to participate in something that was ultimately so ugly. I do not take lightly the responsibility I have in the lives of those I love and I feel a heavy weight of guilt for having misused your trust, leading you down a negative path.
The letter is in line with previous acknowledgments of guilt and accountability from Mack. In 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to her charges because she wanted to take full responsibility for her actions. Her trial is set to take place on June 30th, 2021, and she could be sentenced from anywhere to 15-years to life in prison. Raniere has already been sentenced to 120-years in prison for his crimes. Mack's attorneys have requested no jail time for the actress, stating that her decision to plead guilty, her cooperation in the trial, and her letter, illustrate her remorse for her actions and that she has received punishment enough without further incarceration.
The uncovering of NXIVM's sex cult shocked the nation. The fact that a sex cult could operate right in New York under the guise of a self-help organization and with the aid of public figures illustrates how rampant sex slavery and sex trafficking truly are. Meanwhile, fans of Smallville were especially shocked that a fairly good and unassuming actress like Mack could be involved in something so disturbing. However, unfortunately, the number of celebrities involved in sexual abuse cases is steadily rising. Power and influence can open some very dark doors for celebrities as it can be used to silence victims or to avoid the consequences of one's actions.
Mack's publicity no doubt enhanced her recruiting efforts for NXIVM. While Mack does express regret, it is hard to say if that quite atones for her actions of recruiting unsuspecting women into a sex cult, blackmailing them, and exposing them to a sexual abuser. The apology was a necessity to the victims of her crimes, but it does not absolve her of guilt. As the trial draws near, we can only hope that justice will be served and that the victims will find some amount of solace in the final decision.
Source: THR