CNN reports actress Allison Mack was released from prison on Monday, ending her three-year prison stint early, according to records posted online by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Mack was known for starring in the CW Superman series, Smallville, as Chloe Sullivan.
According to CNN, Mack had been arrested in 2018 along with several other women as part of wellness group known as NXIVM. Based in Albany, New York, the group was led by Keith Raniere, who was also arrested after allegations that the self-help commune was hiding a dangerous inner cult called DOS that preyed upon NXIVM’s female-member base.
According to prosecutors, Mack served as a high-level leader of DOS known as a “first-line master,” recruiting new victims to the group. She shared these responsibilities with other members as well. Once a woman was brought into the fold, she was branded with the DOS insignia, which was Mack and Raniere’s initials. Victims claimed they were coaxed into serving as Raniere’s slaves, providing sensitive information, including nude photos, to the “masters” for Raniere’s pleasure on a regular basis. Raniere was also engaging in sexual acts with many of the women without their knowledge. Mack was initially arrested on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor.
As Raniere’s second-in-command, prosecutors charged Mack with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy which she plead guilty to in 2019. Raniere was found guilty of racketeering and is currently serving 120-year sentence. At the time of her sentencing, Mack submitted a letter that was first obtained by Rolling Stone. In the letter she stated:
“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.”
The NXIVM scandal opened the floodgates for many true crime docuseries and podcasts chronicling the harrowing experience. HBO launched The Vow and The Vow Part II which were produced by former NXVIM discovering in real-time the truth about DOS. They end up chronicling everything from Keith’s arrest to his eventual trial and sentencing. A second docuseries from Starz, Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult, was told from the perspective of former member India Oxenberg. Finally, the podcast Escaping NXVIM was released by the CBC in 2018.