Clare Bronfman
| Clare Bronfman | |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 9, 1979 New York City, New York |
| Charges: | Conspiracy to conceal and harbor undocumented immigrants, Identification fraud |
| Sentence: | 6 years, 9 months |
| Facility: | Released June 2025 |
| Status: | Supervised release |
Clare Bronfman (born December 9, 1979) is a Seagram liquor fortune heiress who was sentenced to six years and nine months in federal prison for her role in financing and enabling the criminal activities of NXIVM, the purported self-improvement organization led by Keith Raniere that prosecutors proved was a criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, forced labor, and racketeering.[1] Bronfman, who provided tens of millions of dollars in funding to NXIVM over more than a decade, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor undocumented immigrants and fraudulent use of identification. She was released from Bureau of Prisons custody on June 27, 2025, and is now serving three years of supervised release.[2]
Summary
Clare Bronfman, daughter of the late billionaire Edgar Bronfman Sr. and an heiress to the Seagram liquor fortune, used her vast wealth to fund and protect NXIVM for more than 15 years. While other wealthy members contributed to the organization, Bronfman's financial support was unparalleled—she spent an estimated $100 million or more on NXIVM, including bankrolling aggressive litigation against critics, funding Keith Raniere's lifestyle, and financing the organization's operations.[3]
Unlike several other NXIVM members who cooperated with prosecutors, Bronfman remained fiercely loyal to Raniere throughout the legal proceedings. At her sentencing, she acknowledged her crimes but stopped short of condemning Raniere or expressing remorse for the harm caused to victims.
Background
Clare Bronfman is one of two daughters of Edgar Bronfman Sr., the late billionaire businessman who led the Seagram Company and was a prominent Jewish philanthropist. Her older sister Sara also became deeply involved in NXIVM. Clare is an accomplished equestrian who competed at the international level before becoming consumed by her involvement with NXIVM.
The Bronfman sisters discovered NXIVM in 2003 and quickly became devoted members. Clare in particular became one of Raniere's closest confidantes and the organization's primary financial backer.
Role in NXIVM
Bronfman served as the executive board president of NXIVM's parent company. She used her fortune to fund the organization's programs, pay for Raniere's housing and lifestyle, and pursue aggressive litigation against NXIVM's critics—including former members, journalists, and federal judges. She hired private investigators to dig up dirt on people Raniere perceived as enemies.
Bronfman also enabled the immigration fraud that formed part of her guilty plea. She harbored undocumented immigrants brought to the United States to work for NXIVM and used fraudulent identification to help them remain in the country illegally.
Legal Case
Arrest and Charges
Bronfman was arrested in July 2018 along with several other NXIVM members. She was initially charged with racketeering, identity theft, and other offenses.
Guilty Plea
In April 2019, Bronfman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal and harbor undocumented immigrants for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification. She was the only member of NXIVM's inner circle not to cooperate with the government against Raniere.
Sentencing
On September 30, 2020, Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis sentenced Bronfman to six years and nine months in federal prison—a sentence significantly harsher than the probation or minimal prison time requested by her defense. The judge cited the harm caused by her actions and her lack of genuine remorse.
Appeal for Reduced Sentence
In 2024, Bronfman sought a reduction in her sentence. Judge Garaufis denied the request, calling her crimes "particularly egregious" because of the harm they caused.[3]
Prison and Release
Bronfman began serving her sentence and was transferred to a halfway house in the Bronx in May 2024. She was officially released from Bureau of Prisons custody on June 27, 2025, and began a three-year period of supervised release.[2]
As a condition of her release, Bronfman is prohibited from contacting anyone who was involved in NXIVM or its programs, including DOS. Her probation officer can inspect her emails and social media and visit her home without notice. As a convicted felon, she must request permission to travel outside her designated area.[4]
See Also
References
- ↑ U.S. Department of Justice, NXIVM case documentation.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Frank Report, "Clare Bronfman Released from BOP Custody," June 2025, https://frankreport.com/2025/06/30/clare-bronfman-released-from-bop-custody/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Times Union, "NXIVM loyalist Clare Bronfman denied in bid for lower sentence," 2024, https://www.timesunion.com/nxivm/article/nxivm-loyalist-clare-bronfman-denied-bid-lower-19420568.php.
- ↑ Yahoo, "NXIVM Sex Cult Case: Where Is Clare Bronfman Now?," https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/nxivm-sex-cult-case-where-070241919.html.