'Smallville's' Allison Mack pleads not guilty to sex trafficking after arrest for alleged involvement in sex cult
"Smallville" actress Allison Mack pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor charges as part of an alleged sex cult in a federal court in New York Friday.
Mack, 35, appeared before a judge in the federal court in Brooklyn looking unkempt and gaunt. The actress was wearing jeans, a denim shirt and holding tissues, CBS 6 Albanyreported. After entering her plea the judge refused a request by her lawyers to release her without bail. A bail hearing will be held Monday.
During the court appearance, it was revealed Mack married "Battlestar Galactica" star Nicki Clyne, who was also rumored to be part of NXIVM. Clyne and Mack were spotted in Mexico when cult leader Keith Raniere was hunted down by police and arrested at a $10,000-a-week villa they were reportedly hiding out last month.
Allison Mack pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labor charges on Friday, April 20, 2018. (Reuters)
Raniere, the co-founder of the self-help organization and alleged cult NXIVM, stands accused of keeping numerous women as slaves and branding his initials into their skin.
He was arraigned last week on the same charges as Mack and was denied bail while he awaits his next court appearance on April 27.
NXIVM appears as a self-help program that has attracted celebrities such as Richard Branson.
Mack was believed to have taken over as the head of the cult after Raniere, who is known as "Vanguard" in the organization, was arrested. The actress was believed to be Raniere's "direct slave" and had a sexual relationship with the leader. She was also accused of helping recruit women to be Raniere's slaves for NXIVM.
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