Sentencing dates for convicted Nxivm leaders Keith Raniere and Clare Bronfman have been postponed.
Bronfman’s sentencing date of January 8 has been pushed back to February 14 to give her time to respond to a 75-page pre-sentencing report. The report contains 25 pages of victim impact statement summaries. According to the Albany Times Union the report also “raises numerous alleged instances of wrongdoing and other factual issues apart from the offenses to which Ms. Bronfman pled guilty,” [Bronfman attorney] Cassidy stated.
The big news here is that Judge Garaufis is considering sentencing Bronfman above the 21-27 month guidelines. According to Bronfman’s plea deal, this would give her the right to appeal her sentence. Presumably, Michael Avenatti will not be around this time to horse-trade with the government for more favorable treatment for Bronfman. Judge Garaufis gave no explanation on why he is considering a sentence above the guidelines. Pre-sentencing reports are confidential and not available to the public.
At her plea hearing on April 19, Bronfman was still painfully thin, her bones protruded and her clothes hung on her. In contrast, at Allison Mack’s plea hearing, Allison looked healthy and gave the appearance that she was eating normally. This makes me speculate that at least at that time, Clare was still loyal to Keith Raniere.
Meanwhile, Raniere’s sentencing has been postponed indefinitely from the scheduled date January 17 because his pre-sentencing report has not yet been finalized. He faces at least 15 years regardless. At almost age 60, he may face a virtual life sentence.
Kathy Russell’s sentencing is still on track for January 29. Sentencing dates for Allison Mack and Nancy and Lauren Salzman have not yet been scheduled.
— Dianne Lipson
