NXIVM's Clare Bronfman sentencing set for Sept. 30

NEW YORK —  Clare Bronfman, an heiress to the Seagrams’ liquor fortune and the financial muscle behind NXIVM leader Keith Raniere’s cult-like organization, is now tentatively scheduled to be sentenced for her federal crimes on Sept. 30.

In a court appearance heard remotely on Tuesday, Senior U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis said he expects that in-person courthouse appearances will resume after Labor Day in his federal courthouse in Brooklyn.

The 41-year-old Bronfman, who has homes in Manhattan and Clifton Park, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain, and fraudulent use of identification.

Her sentencing has been delayed several times. The judge has said he is considering an "above guidelines" sentencing for Bronfman, which means she could face a longer prison term than the 21 to 27 months recommended by the guidelines.

One of the daughters of late Seagram's tycoon Edgar Bronfman, she has been on home detention in her Manhattan residence on $100 million bond since her arrest in July 2018.

On Tuesday, Bronfman was represented by Washington, D.C.-based attorney Ronald Sullivan as well as Duncan Levin, who are new to her defense team; Bronfman's onetime lawyer Kathleen Cassidy has exited the case. Sullivan told the judge his client wanted her mother, Georgiana Bronfman, who lives in England, and her older sister, Sara Bronfman-Igtet, a longtime member of NXIVM who lives in France, to attend her sentencing. Sullivan said he did not know if they would be allowed into the country due to travel restrictions prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The judge said given the ups and downs of the pandemic, the travel situation might not be resolved "potentially for years." Sullivan said he understood the judge's point but wanted two or three months to have the flexibility to allow the family members to appear at the sentencing. He said Bronfman-Igtet can get into the country, but is not sure she would be able to get back to France.

Bronfman has opposed the prospect of being sentenced via videoconference. Garaufis said defendants have a right to be sentenced in the courtroom, but noted that right does not extend to family members or victims. He did not rule out additional adjournments.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar, echoing comments made by the judge, said she believes flights are available between England and New York.

"The government is available," she said. "The government is ready to proceed."

Raniere, 59, known as "Vanguard," was convicted of all seven counts he faced at his trial last year, including sex trafficking, forced labor and racketeering charges with underlying acts of identity theft, obstruction of justice, wire and visa fraud, forced labor, human trafficking, sex trafficking, money laundering, child exploitation and possessing  child pornography. He faces the possibility of life in prison.

Raniere, formerly of Halfmoon, is awaiting sentencing in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, where members of NXIVM have been dancing outside the facility on a nightly basis to show support for him and other inmates. Last week, Garaufis rejected Raniere's bid for a new trial. His sentencing date remains indefinite.

Raniere's other co-defendants — former NXIVM president Nancy Salzman and NXIVM officials Lauren Salzman, Allison Mack and Kathy Russell — have all pleaded guilty to charges and await sentencing.