History of Keith Raniere in Timeline

Keith Allen Raniere, known as "Vanguard" within the organization, co-founded and led NXIVM, a self-proclaimed self-help and personal development company that operated from 1998 to 2018. NXIVM, which had a multi-level marketing structure, attracted up to 700 members at its peak, including affluent individuals and celebrities. Raniere's leadership was marked by criminal activity, leading to his conviction for racketeering. The charges against him encompassed serious offenses such as human trafficking, sex crimes, and fraud.

1931: Birth of Vera Oschypko

Vera Oschypko, mother of Keith Raniere, was born in 1931.

1932: Birth of James Raniere

James Raniere, father of Keith Raniere, was born in 1932.

August 26, 1960: Birth of Keith Raniere

Keith Raniere was born on August 26, 1960, in Brooklyn, New York.

June 1978: High School Graduation

Keith Raniere graduated from Rockland Country Day School in June 1978, two months before his 18th birthday.

1978: Death of Vera Oschypko

Vera Oschypko, Keith Raniere's mother, passed away in 1978.

1982: Graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Keith Raniere graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1982 with a 2.26 GPA. He later worked as a computer programmer for the New York State Division of Parole.

April 1985: Publication of the MEGA Test

Ronald K. Hoeflin's MEGA test, a 48-question unsupervised intelligence test, was published in the April 1985 issue of Omni magazine.

June 1988: Featured in Albany Times Union

In June 1988, the Albany Times Union published a profile on Keith Raniere, highlighting his membership in the Mega Society, an organization for people with high IQ scores. He joined after achieving a high score on the MEGA test.

1989: Mega Society Recognition in Guinness Book of World Records

The 1989 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the Mega Society as the "most exclusive ultrahigh IQ society." The Australian edition listed Keith Raniere, Marilyn vos Savant, and Eric Hart as the highest-scoring members.

1990: Founding of Consumers' Buyline Inc. and Meeting Toni Natalie

Keith Raniere established Consumers' Buyline Inc. (CBI), his own multi-level marketing company, in 1990. It was during this time that he met Toni Natalie, who would become a top seller for CBI. Their professional relationship evolved into a romantic one that lasted eight years.

1990: Raniere Begins Sexual Relationship with 12-Year-Old

One of Raniere's victims revealed that she met him in 1990 when she was 12 and he was 30. Raniere used tutoring as a pretext for sexual encounters with the minor.

1991: Sexual Abuse of Minor Continues

The sexual abuse of the minor by Raniere continued until around 1991. This case highlights the pattern of predatory behavior that Raniere exhibited.

1993: Decline of CBI and Regulatory Scrutiny

Consumers' Buyline Inc. (CBI) began to face challenges in 1993 as it attracted investigations from regulators in 20 states who suspected it of being a pyramid scheme.

1993: Victim Reports Raniere to Police

In 1993, the victim, who had been abused by Raniere since she was 12, sought counseling and filed a report with the New York State Police against Raniere. However, the complaint was not pursued further.

1994: Creation of National Health Network

Keith Raniere founded National Health Network, a multi-level marketing company focused on vitamins, in 1994. However, the company failed three years later.

1996: Resolution of the CBI Lawsuit

Keith Raniere reached a settlement with New York State in 1996 regarding the lawsuit against CBI. Without admitting any wrongdoing, he agreed to pay a $40,000 fine. However, he ultimately only paid $9,000. The settlement also banned him from promoting or participating in chain distribution schemes.

1998: Founding of NXIVM

Keith Raniere co-founded NXIVM, a purported self-help and personal development company, in 1998.

1998: Meeting Nancy Salzman

Toni Natalie, Raniere's then-partner, introduced him to Nancy Salzman, a nurse practicing hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming, in 1998. This meeting marked a pivotal point in Raniere's life, as Salzman would become instrumental in his future endeavors.

1999: Raniere's Relationship with Toni Natalie Ends

Raniere's eight-year relationship with Toni Natalie ended in 1999. Natalie later claimed to have been a victim of harassment by Raniere.

2002: Recruitment of the Bronfman Sisters

In a significant development for NXIVM, Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman successfully recruited Sara and Clare Bronfman, heirs to the Seagram fortune, in 2002. Their involvement brought substantial financial resources and influence to the organization.

2002: Raniere Establishes Control Over Mexican Family

Prosecutors alleged that Raniere began exerting control over a Mexican family in 2002, ultimately leading to the sexual exploitation of the three sisters.

January 2003: Judge Implies Raniere's Harassment of Toni Natalie

In January 2003, a federal judge implied that Raniere was using a lawsuit to harass his former partner, Toni Natalie, suggesting an attempt at "revenge or retaliation."

October 2003: Forbes Magazine Cover Story

Keith Raniere was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine in October 2003. The article, titled "Cult of Personality," provided an in-depth look into Raniere's leadership style, the controversial practices of NXIVM, and included allegations of it being a cult.

January 2005: Commodities Trading Losses Begin

From January 2005, Keith Raniere started incurring significant losses in commodities trading, eventually totaling nearly $70 million.

August 2005: Bronfman Sisters Cover Raniere's Losses

Starting in August 2005, the Bronfman sisters began covering the financial losses Keith Raniere incurred from his commodities trading. They ultimately used $150 million of their own wealth to support Raniere and NXIVM.

2005: Raniere Begins Abusing Camila

Camila, the youngest sister of the Mexican family, stated that Raniere began sexually abusing her in 2005 when she was 15 years old.

2007: End of Commodities Trading Losses

By late 2007, Keith Raniere had stopped incurring losses in commodities trading, marking the end of a period of significant financial strain.

May 6, 2009: Meeting the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama visited Albany on May 6, 2009, to deliver a talk. During the event, he presented Keith Raniere with a white scarf, a gesture of respect in Tibetan culture. This event was significant for NXIVM, as the organization had spent $2 million to secure the Dalai Lama's attendance.

2009: The NXIVM Nine Departure

A group of nine individuals, known as the "NXIVM Nine," who were once closely associated with Keith Raniere, decided to leave the organization in 2009. They cited concerns about unethical practices and Raniere's alleged sexual manipulation of women within the group.

November 2010: Vanity Fair Exposé

In November 2010, Vanity Fair published an exposé titled "The Heiresses and the Cult," which shed light on the controversial practices and allegations of abuse within NXIVM. The article included an account from Toni Natalie, Raniere's former partner, who shared disturbing details about their relationship.

2010: Daniela Confined to a Room for Two Years

In 2010, Daniela was confined to a bedroom for two years, allegedly for expressing romantic feelings for someone else. This confinement, orchestrated by Raniere, involved isolation and deprivation.

2010: Raniere's Alleged Isolation of His Child

In 2010, reports emerged that Raniere had ordered his child with Kristin Keeffe to be kept away from peers and cared for by nannies speaking multiple languages, raising concerns about the child's upbringing.

2011: Natalie Alleges Rape by Raniere

In 2011, Toni Natalie filed court documents alleging that she had been repeatedly raped by Raniere during their relationship.

2012: Daniela Escapes Confinement

Daniela's confinement ended in 2012 after she contemplated suicide. Upon escaping, she confronted Raniere, who attempted to hide. She was later escorted out of the NXIVM community and abandoned at the US-Mexico border.

2012: Times Union Reports on Raniere's Sexual Relationships with Minors

In 2012, the Times Union reported that Raniere had sexual relationships with three underage girls in the 1980s and 1990s. One victim stated that she met Raniere in 1990 when she was 12 and he was 30, and that they had over sixty sexual encounters.

February 2014: Kristin Keeffe Leaves NXIVM and Accuses Raniere

In February 2014, Kristin Keeffe, Raniere's longtime partner and mother of his first child, left NXIVM and fled the Albany area with their son. She publicly accused Raniere of experimenting on their child and described him as "dangerous."

2015: Keeffe Makes Further Allegations Against Raniere

In 2015, Kristin Keeffe publicly accused Raniere of directing an investigative firm to target critics, including judges, a senator, and journalists. She also alleged a plan to lure critics to Mexico for arrest on false charges.

2015: Raniere Creates Secret Subgroup DOS

In 2015, Raniere established DOS, a secret society within NXIVM, structured with "masters" and "slaves." Slaves were coerced into providing collateral and serving Raniere, who held the highest position in the group.

2015: Raniere's Lawsuit Against Tech Giants Dismissed

Raniere filed lawsuits against AT&T and Microsoft in 2015, alleging patent infringement. The case was dismissed in 2016, with the court finding Raniere's conduct to be in bad faith. He was sanctioned and ordered to pay $450,000 in legal fees.

June 5, 2017: Frank Parlato Exposes DOS

Frank Parlato, a former NXIVM member, became the first to publicly report the existence of DOS and its practice of branding women on June 5, 2017.

October 17, 2017: New York Times Exposes DOS Abuses

On October 17, 2017, The New York Times published an exposé detailing the abuses within DOS, including the demand for collateral and branding of members, leading to widespread scrutiny of Raniere and NXIVM.

January 18, 2018: Search Warrant Issued for Raniere's Email

Following reports of DOS abuses, a search warrant was issued for Raniere's email account on January 18, 2018, marking the beginning of a formal criminal investigation.

2018: Prosecutors Seek Raniere's Remand

After his 2018 arraignment, prosecutors sought to keep Raniere in custody, citing his inconsistent financial disclosures and flight risk. This legal battle continued until his sentencing in 2021.

2018: Prosecutors Highlight Raniere's History of Abuse

Following Raniere's arrest in 2018, prosecutors opposed bail, citing his "decades-long history of abusing women and girls." Evidence presented at his trial further supported these allegations, including his views on sexual assault and child abuse.

2018: Downfall of NXIVM and Raniere's Arrest

In 2018, allegations of abuse within NXIVM, specifically related to the secret society "DOS", surfaced. This led to the arrests of Keith Raniere and five other associates. NXIVM, which had operated for two decades, ceased operations in the same year.

May 7, 2019: Raniere's Federal Racketeering Trial Begins

Raniere's federal trial on charges of racketeering and other crimes began on May 7, 2019. The trial brought to light the extent of his alleged crimes and the inner workings of NXIVM.

June 2019: Conviction and Sentencing Delay

In June 2019, Keith Raniere was convicted of multiple charges, but his sentencing was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on prisons.

June 19, 2019: Conviction of Keith Raniere

A jury in the Eastern District of New York found Keith Raniere guilty of racketeering charges, including sex trafficking and forced labor conspiracy, on June 19, 2019.

2019: Prosecutors Detail Raniere's Control Over Mexican Family

During Raniere's 2019 trial, prosecutors presented evidence of his control over a Mexican family, with the three sisters becoming his sexual partners. Raniere allegedly impregnated each sister, compelling them to have abortions.

January 2020: Civil Lawsuit Filed by Former NXIVM Members

In January 2020, a civil lawsuit was filed against Raniere and other NXIVM leaders by 80 former members, alleging fraud, abuse, and operation of a pyramid scheme.

March 2020: Raniere's Motion for New Trial Denied

Raniere filed a motion for a new trial in March 2020, alleging witness perjury. However, Judge Garaufis denied the motion, rejecting Raniere's claims.

July 16, 2020: Prison Transfer and Instructions to Followers

On July 16, 2020, a Bureau of Prisons memo revealed that Raniere instructed Chakravorty to get women to dance "erotically" outside the MDC. Consequently, authorities moved Raniere to a different unit, prompting him to instruct his followers to help get him moved back.

October 2020: Second Motion for New Trial Denied

Raniere filed another motion for a new trial in October 2020, claiming witness intimidation by prosecutors. This motion was also denied by Judge Garaufis.

October 27, 2020: Sentencing of Keith Raniere

On October 27, 2020, Judge Nicholas Garaufis sentenced Keith Raniere to 120 years in prison and imposed a $1.75 million fine for his crimes related to his involvement in NXIVM.

November 2020: Notice of Appeal Filed

Raniere filed a notice of appeal against his conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

2020: Followers' Support and "The Forgotten Ones"

In the summer of 2020, Raniere's remaining followers, unable to visit him in person due to the pandemic, started gathering near the jail to dance, calling themselves "The Forgotten Ones" and showing support for Raniere.

2020: Death of James Raniere

James Raniere, Keith Raniere's father, passed away in 2020.

2020: Communication with Supporter and Podcast Release

While awaiting sentencing in 2020, Raniere began communicating with a supporter named Suneel Chakravorty, who recorded and released some of their conversations as a podcast called "Raniere Speaks."

July 20, 2021: Restitution Hearing and Ruling

On July 20, 2021, Raniere appeared virtually from prison for a restitution hearing. Judge Garaufis ruled that 21 victims should receive a total of $3.46 million, including payments for DOS-related scarification removal, mental health care, and compensation for labor trafficking.

2021: Raniere Sentenced

Raniere's legal battle regarding his remand concluded in 2021 with his sentencing. This marked a significant turning point in the case against him.

May 3, 2022: Oral Arguments in Appeal

Raniere's appeal against his conviction and sentence was heard by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

May 2022: Lawsuit Against DOJ and BOP, and Dismissal

In May 2022, Raniere filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Prisons alleging civil rights violations, seeking visitation and communication with Chakravorty. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

December 9, 2022: Appeal Rejected, Conviction Upheld

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld Raniere's conviction and rejected his appeal, stating that there was sufficient evidence to sustain the convictions.