I know my neighbour’s in a CULT run by a convicted sex offender – his job is ringing major alarm bells
FROM bin rows to nosy behaviour, we're all had our fair share of encounters with nightmare neighbours.
However, one woman's experience may take the title for worst of all time.
The woman, who identified herself as just Joanne, wrote in to Katherine Ryan's podcast for advice on the person living next door to her.
While she refused to confirm her neighbour's gender for privacy issues, she decided to refer to them as male throughout her plea for help.
Joanne explained that she was unsure whether or not she should report her neighbour to his employers for his questionable behaviour.
She described the situation as a "bit of an off predicament" before going on to reveal that she thinks her neighbour is "in a cult."
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The listener identified the cult she suspects the man of having previously joined as NXIVM.
After watching a documentary on the cult's "downfall," Joanne learned some of the criminal charges faced by the leader.
"Convicted of racketeering, identity theft, forced labour, sex trafficking, money laundering, and more, it’s come crashing down since the leader was incarcerated," she wrote.
Joanne went on to say that despite this, it seems the man living next door has persevered with his beliefs.
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"My neighbour still practices what he learned in the cult, hangs out all the time with people that were in it with him, and talks highly of the positives this cult had on his life," she explained.
According to Joanne, her neighbour is "now a hypno-therapist who uses the cult practices in his work."
"He’s a chaotic mess right now, sabotaging his life and everyone around him," she continued.
She revealed that he has started a new job that involves "working with vulnerable people who are transitioning back into society."
"He’s supposed to be a support worker but he’s getting them to do hypnotherapy behind his work’s back," Joanne said.
While she did not provide proof of her claim she said she was sure he was doing it.
"It’s something he isn’t supposed to be doing, do I warn his employers about who he is and what he’s doing?" she asked Katherine.
What is NXIVM?
NXIVM was founded as a personal development company by Keith Raniere and Nancy Salzman in 1998 in New York.
Raniere claimed that NXIVM's "main emphasis is to have people experience more joy in their lives."
According to NXIVM, its training was a trade secret, subject to non-disclosure agreements.
In 2015, a secret society of women was started within NXIVM in which female members were allegedly called slaves, branded with the initials of Raniere and actress Allison Mack, another prominent member.
reported that these women were subjected to corporal punishment from their "masters" and required to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information as "collateral."
Law enforcement officials also alleged that these members were forced into sexual slavery.
Several members reported financial and sexual predation by NXIVM leaders.
In March 2018, Raniere was arrested and indicted on charges, which included sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labour.
United States Attorney Richard Donoghue stated that Raniere "created a secret society of women whom he had sex with and branded with his initials, coercing them with the threat of releasing their highly personal information and taking their assets."
Mack, along with Salzman and three other women, was also arrested for similar charges.
The five women are all currently free, having either served probation periods or sentences in prison for their involvement.
In 2019, Raniere was found guilty of all charges brought against him and was sentenced to 120 years in prison as well as being fined $1.75 million (£1.4 million).
In 2022, he failed to appeal his conviction and sentence.
She added that "one of his clients is hanging around with him now outside of work."
"The other ex-cult members are hanging out with [the clients] too and I’m really worried that he’s abusing his position to get people into the cult somehow," Joanne continued.
Katherine shared her advice, which she described as the opposite of her usual position.
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The comedian told Joanne that she "absolutely should tell," pointing out the potential abuse of power occurring.
She described the neighbour as "a fox in a hen house" and advised her listener to do what she can to shut down the "predatory behaviour."
