"I'm here to plead guilty": Actress Allison Mack has admitted in a federal court in New York that she played a key role in the alleged US psycho sect Nxivm. Her confession came on the same day that jury selection began for the trial of guru Keith Raniere. The 58-year-old is said to have abused several women as "sex slaves", Mack had been his accomplice.

What is Nxivm?

Nxivm (pronounced Nexeum) was founded in 1998 by Raniere in Albany. Ostensibly, it was an organization that offered self-discovery and self-optimization seminars. But Raniere not only collected thousands of dollars from the participants in the controversial seminars, but was also the only male member of a secret society and women forced to have intercourse. Nxivm members are said to have burned the alleged victim's initials Ranieres in the skin.

As early as the beginning of the 2000s, criticism of Nxivm became loud, in 2003 the business magazine Forbes wrote about Raniere: "Opponents say he has a sect-like program that aims to psychologically break his subordinates." But only at the end of 2017 after several media reports, the prosecutor began to investigate.

What is Raniere accused?

Raniere is charged with sex offenses, forced labor and "crimes against humanity". He is said to have abused more than a dozen women as "sex slaves". He was arrested at the end of March 2018, since then he has been in custody - the judge fears the risk of absconding.

Last month, the prosecution made further allegations public: Raniere is said to have sexually exploited a juvenile and forced her into child pornography. The 58-year-old insists on his innocence. According to his lawyers, any relationship between Raniere and the alleged victims was mutually agreed. "We continue to believe in the value and importance of our work and look forward to continuing our efforts once the allegations have been resolved," says Nxivm's website.

What role should Allison Mack play in Nxivm ?

Mack, who played the best friend of Superman in the series "Smallville", is referred to in media reports as "Ranieres right hand". She was arrested shortly after her guru but was released on payment of a bail. She is under house arrest. At first she had denied the allegations. She thought Raniere's intention had been to help people, Mack said. "I was wrong, I realized that I and others were involved in criminal behavior."

Among other things, Mack admitted to having recruited women as "slaves". The 36-year-old pleaded guilty on two counts: She had belonged to an organized criminal organization and conspired to blackmail. Specifically, she confessed to having threatened two women on the orders Ranieres, publish compromising photos and information, if they do not perform "so-called acts of love".

What punishment threatens Allison Mack?

In the event of a conviction, Mack could face up to 40 years in prison, but the penalty will probably be lower. So far it is not known whether her confession is part of a deal with the prosecutor. Presumably she wants to prevent by their statement, however, to have to answer jointly with Raniere in court. The verdict against the actress is expected to fall on September 11.

What do you know about other defendants?

Nxivm co-founder Nancy Salzman pleaded guilty last month for criminal activities related to the organization. Her daughter Lauren Salzman admitted, according to "The Cut", that she locked a woman in a room if she did not finish her job. Clare Bronfman, the heir to spirits maker Seagram, is accused of financially supporting Nxivm. She denies the allegations as well as the accused Nxivm member Kathy Russell.