Clare Bronfman

Clare Bronfman appeared in Mark Vicente's testimony as a NXIVM executive-board member, financier, liaison to Keith Raniere, and decision-maker in the organization's legal group. Sylvie described entering NXIVM through horse-care work for Bronfman, who encouraged her first ESP intensive. During direct examination, Sylvie recounted dependence on Bronfman, immigration efforts that included an unsuccessful investor-visa application based on a purported horse sale, and years of reporting her food, weight, and training to Bronfman and Raniere. Admitted emails included Bronfman's relay of Raniere's suggestion to continue exercising so long as it did not hurt after Sylvie reported illness and pain. Cross-examination emphasized Bronfman's financial assistance. Sylvie distinguished gifts from loans and disputed the suggestion that Bronfman's involvement consistently amounted to care.

Other testimony concerned Bronfman's funding and efforts involving NXIVM's critics. Vicente said she reimbursed a campaign contribution made in his name, although he could not precisely identify the campaign or year. Stephen Herbits described refusing requests to contact prosecutors and a newspaper publisher, instead recommending public-relations work. FBI agent Michael Weniger reviewed Canaprobe banking-information requests and invoices associated with Bronfman; he believed most or all of the information was false but expressed uncertainty. Financial investigator Richard Guerci described approximately $14 million deposited into a trust funding defense counsel and consultants, mostly from Bronfman. The court instructed jurors that one party may properly pay another's legal fees, but that they could consider the trust evidence only in deciding whether an enterprise existed.