International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation■ Vol. 2, 2021 47
Buyline (Natalie &Hardin, C2019, p. 26,
59).20 Additionally, his early inner circle of
colleagues and sexual partners, Karen
Unterreiner, Pam Cafritz, and Kristen Keefe,
all revered him and were extraordinarily
loyal to him (for numerous examples, see
Natalie &Hardin, 2019). By the time he and
Nancy Salzman met and started offering ESP
intensives, he had positioned himself as the
Master of the ESP ranking system (Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, p. 93) and he taught his
acolytes to recognize his superiority from
their very first class (Natalie &Hardin, 2019,
p. 243).
Raniere thrived on an audience’s adoration
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74 Natalie
&Hardin, 2019, p. 15), but he also could be
extremely attentive to individuals
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74 Natalie
&Hardin, 2019, p. 55). During V- Week (the
annual 10-day celebration of Raniere’s
birthday), Raniere clearly reveled in
attention moreover, he “visibly enjoyed
being upheld as the one with all the answers”
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74).
During the extravagant birthday celebrations,
hundreds of Nxians praised and paid tribute
to Raniere, often performing and dedicating
songs and skits to him (see Edmondson &
Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 71–76). The need for
such displays of admiration is a common
feature of narcissism (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, p. 670).
Many members of NXIVM were willing to
meet Raniere’s psychological, sexual, and
financial needs and demands, genuinely
believing that they were in the presence of
greatness. When he told them that he was a
20 Raniere established his first business, Consumers’ Buyline, in
1991. The company, which he co-owned with Karen Unterreiner
(Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 44), sold cut-price food and other
products to paying members. In 1993 the New York attorney general
suspected Raniere of operating a pyramid scheme. He filed a civil
suit against Raniere, who paid only a portion of the $40,000 penalty
(Freedman, 2003).
genius (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 62), that
he was never wrong (Natalie &Hardin, 2019,
p. 67), and that he could save the world (thus,
positioning himself as a savior) (Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, p. 142 United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 2305–2306
2311), his followers accepted these claims as
absolute truth.
Group members compared Raniere to Bill
Gates and Steve Jobs (Edmondson &
Gasbarre, 2019, p. 55), whilst ESP
promotional pamphlets likened him to
history’s greatest scientists, educators,
politicians, humanitarians, and adventurers
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 40–41).
Raniere was successful in his self-promotion.
And, of note, often narcissists “compare
themselves favorably with famous or
privileged people” (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, p. 670). On occasion, he
even was referred to as possessing
otherworldly characteristics and mystical
properties (United States of America v.
Raniere, 2019, pp. 1533–1534 2349 2395–
2396). With these claims and accolades, and
with Nancy Salzman’s help, Raniere
attracted prestigious clients, including actors,
directors, writers, musicians, and heiresses.21
His followers revered Raniere as a
humanitarian life coach who would save the
world. As such, they trusted his guidance and
knowledge on all matters as they pursued
their goals for self-actualization and
reinvention (Raine, 2020).
Given Sinnamon’s (2017) assessment that
those who groom, and abuse adults often are
narcissistic, along with current psychiatric
criteria (American Psychiatric Association,
21 Nancy Salzman had an impressive corporate clientele list,
including credit-card company American Express and energy giant
Con Edison (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 85). Raniere’s collateral
(discussed later see also Raine, 2020) on her was that she was not a
qualified psychologist (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 89). She would
have lost her reputation and her clients had he revealed this
information.
Buyline (Natalie &Hardin, C2019, p. 26,
59).20 Additionally, his early inner circle of
colleagues and sexual partners, Karen
Unterreiner, Pam Cafritz, and Kristen Keefe,
all revered him and were extraordinarily
loyal to him (for numerous examples, see
Natalie &Hardin, 2019). By the time he and
Nancy Salzman met and started offering ESP
intensives, he had positioned himself as the
Master of the ESP ranking system (Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, p. 93) and he taught his
acolytes to recognize his superiority from
their very first class (Natalie &Hardin, 2019,
p. 243).
Raniere thrived on an audience’s adoration
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74 Natalie
&Hardin, 2019, p. 15), but he also could be
extremely attentive to individuals
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74 Natalie
&Hardin, 2019, p. 55). During V- Week (the
annual 10-day celebration of Raniere’s
birthday), Raniere clearly reveled in
attention moreover, he “visibly enjoyed
being upheld as the one with all the answers”
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, p. 74).
During the extravagant birthday celebrations,
hundreds of Nxians praised and paid tribute
to Raniere, often performing and dedicating
songs and skits to him (see Edmondson &
Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 71–76). The need for
such displays of admiration is a common
feature of narcissism (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, p. 670).
Many members of NXIVM were willing to
meet Raniere’s psychological, sexual, and
financial needs and demands, genuinely
believing that they were in the presence of
greatness. When he told them that he was a
20 Raniere established his first business, Consumers’ Buyline, in
1991. The company, which he co-owned with Karen Unterreiner
(Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 44), sold cut-price food and other
products to paying members. In 1993 the New York attorney general
suspected Raniere of operating a pyramid scheme. He filed a civil
suit against Raniere, who paid only a portion of the $40,000 penalty
(Freedman, 2003).
genius (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 62), that
he was never wrong (Natalie &Hardin, 2019,
p. 67), and that he could save the world (thus,
positioning himself as a savior) (Natalie &
Hardin, 2019, p. 142 United States of
America v. Raniere, 2019, pp. 2305–2306
2311), his followers accepted these claims as
absolute truth.
Group members compared Raniere to Bill
Gates and Steve Jobs (Edmondson &
Gasbarre, 2019, p. 55), whilst ESP
promotional pamphlets likened him to
history’s greatest scientists, educators,
politicians, humanitarians, and adventurers
(Edmondson &Gasbarre, 2019, pp. 40–41).
Raniere was successful in his self-promotion.
And, of note, often narcissists “compare
themselves favorably with famous or
privileged people” (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013, p. 670). On occasion, he
even was referred to as possessing
otherworldly characteristics and mystical
properties (United States of America v.
Raniere, 2019, pp. 1533–1534 2349 2395–
2396). With these claims and accolades, and
with Nancy Salzman’s help, Raniere
attracted prestigious clients, including actors,
directors, writers, musicians, and heiresses.21
His followers revered Raniere as a
humanitarian life coach who would save the
world. As such, they trusted his guidance and
knowledge on all matters as they pursued
their goals for self-actualization and
reinvention (Raine, 2020).
Given Sinnamon’s (2017) assessment that
those who groom, and abuse adults often are
narcissistic, along with current psychiatric
criteria (American Psychiatric Association,
21 Nancy Salzman had an impressive corporate clientele list,
including credit-card company American Express and energy giant
Con Edison (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 85). Raniere’s collateral
(discussed later see also Raine, 2020) on her was that she was not a
qualified psychologist (Natalie &Hardin, 2019, p. 89). She would
have lost her reputation and her clients had he revealed this
information.
