Leader of sex cult NXIVM ordered to pay $3.5 million to victims, cover cost of tattoo removal

The leader of a sex cult will have to pay millions of dollars in restitution to “sex slaves,” including covering the cost of removing their branding tattoo.

This week a judge issued the order against Keith Raniere this week and awarded about $3.5 million in restitution to 21 victims. That is considerably less than that $33 million in restitution that 100 people submitted claims.

Raniere operated the NXIVM cult, with its most famous member being actress Allison Mack. Raniere was convicted for his role in leading the cult, though he is appealing the ruling.

His appeal remains active in federal court.

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Mack was recently sentenced to three years in federal prison for her role in recruiting people into the cult.

Victims described how they were tricked into joining the cult and that they were forced to have sex with Raniere and others. Some victims had to get tattoos, which were Rainere’s initials, prosecutors said.

In the ruling, the federal judge ordered Raniere pay up to $2,500 to each victim for the tattoos’ removal.

The other cost in the $3.5 million restitution includes paying for mental health care and repaying for forced labor the victims had to perform.

Raniere also has to turn over “collateral,” which the victims had to provide early in their recruitment. The collateral included items such as private pictures or personal essays alleging abuse.