'Smallville' star released on $5 million bond, working on plea deal in alleged sex-cult case
Allison Mack will be released on $5 million bond stemming from sex-trafficking charges, Yahoo Entertainment confirms. She will serve home detention with electronic monitoring until her next court date.
The Smallville star was in federal court in Brooklyn on Tuesday where Mack’s mother, Melinda Mack, put up her home in Los Alamitos, Calif. as collateral, in addition to property and a bank account owned by Allison Mack. According to Variety, Allison Mack will live with her parents during home detention.
Last week, both Mack and Keith Raniere were charged with sex trafficking, sex-trafficking conspiracy, and forced-labor conspiracy due to their involvement in an alleged sex cult. The 35-year-old actress allegedly recruited women as sex slaves for a secret “sorority,” called DOS, within the self-help group, NXIVM. Raniere, the founder of NXIVM (pronounced “Nex-e-um”) and alleged cult leader, was arrested last month.
A lawyer for Mack entered a “not guilty” plea following her arrest on Friday. If convicted on all charges, Mack could face up to 15 years in prison. It’s believed that she is working on a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Mack was also ordered by a judge today not to have contact with any members of NXIVM.
“Basically, avoid contact with anyone you know associated in any way with NXIVM. Do you understand?” Judge Viktor Pohorelsky told her, according to Page Six.
“Yes, your Honor,” Mack responded. She reportedly appeared “nervous with her hands behind her back, wearing a khaki jail jumper and blue sneakers.”
Mack, 35, joined NXIVM years ago after the “overwhelming and intimidating” success she experienced on Smallville. Mack, who played Chloe Sullivan on the CW show from 2001 to 2011, said that she struggled with fame after the series ended — and that Raniere helped her cope.
“The real moments of distinction and the ways it impacted me came afterwards, when I realized that I kind of grew up on a TV show and didn’t really know where to go afterwards. I was 28 and I felt not quite sure where I was going or who I was. I think that was probably the most bumpy transition,” she told Fine Magazine in 2017. “I have a wonderful teacher and mentor named Keith Raniere, who really gave me some incredible guidance. I think everyone needs a mentor. I don’t think any of us really know the answers without a little bit of wisdom. If you aren’t willing to be humble enough to seek wisdom from other people, I think you’re missing a lot of really incredible opportunities to build a certain amount of depth and value in your life that you wouldn’t have if you didn’t have somebody to help guide you.”
Unearthed tweets from 2016 reveal that Mack tried to recruit celebrities like Emma Watson to NXIVM.
.@EmWatson I’m a fellow actress like yourself & involved in an amazing women’s movement I think you’d dig. I’d love to chat if you’re open.
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) January 24, 2016
.@EmWatson well to your vision and what you want to see in the world. I think we could work together. Let me know if you’re willing to chat
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) February 19, 2016
Mack also reached out to Kelly Clarkson in 2013 via Twitter.
@kelly_clarkson I heard through the grapevine that you’re a fan of Smallville. I’m a fan of yours as well! I’d love to chat sometime.
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) July 20, 2013
Mack’s next court date is on May 3.
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