NEW YORK—Keith Raniere sat at the top of every pyramid scheme under the expansive umbrella organization known as NXIVM, according to the office of the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York. As the ongoing trial capped off its first week, Raniere sat alone again, as the sole defendant—a fitting image for the founder and “grand master” who sat at the apex of the secret pyramid scheme.
At the federal court in Brooklyn, Raniere appeared enthusiastic and high spirited, sporting a slight smile of sorts as witnesses, all former members of NXIVM (pronounced Nex-ee-um), testified against him. Switching between gray and blue cardigans, Raniere, referred to as “Vanguard” by his devotees, scribbled notes and whispered to his defense attorneys—Paul DerOhannesian to his right and Marc Agnifilo to his left. He rarely looked at the witnesses.
