Her old tweets were unearthed
Earlier this week, actress Alison Mack was arrested and charged with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labour conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Mack was reportedly second in command of the ‘self-help’ cult NXIVM. The leader of NXIVM, Keith Raniere, was arrested in Mexico on March 26th and also faces charges of sex trafficking. Mack was allegedly a “key recruiter” for the cult, luring women into the organisation, where they were branded and held as sex slaves.
Essentially, NXIVM masqueraded as a ‘self-help’ programme but in reality, it was a pyramid scheme in which some recruits were exploited for sex and manual labour, prosecutors alleged in court filings. Mack pleaded not guilty to the charges and a judge has approved the release of the actress on a $5 million bond.
Mack has now left jail but she will be under house arrest in California and must wear an electronic monitoring device.
In light of this news, Insider has unearthed old tweets which show Mack reaching out to Emma Watson, star of the Harry Potter films, to tell her about an “amazing women’s movement” that she wanted to speak to the actress about, although she never mentioned NXIVM by name in her tweets.
“I’d love to chat if you’re open,” Mack tweeted to Watson in January 2016. A month later, she sent Watson another message which said: “I participate in a unique human development and women’s movement I’d love to tell you about. As a fellow actress, I can relate so well to your vision and what you want to see in the world. I think we could work together. Let me know if you’re willing to chat.”
Watson never responded to any of these messages.
.@EmWatson I'm a fellow actress like yourself & involved in an amazing women's movement I think you'd dig. I'd love to chat if you're open.
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) January 24, 2016
.@EmWatson I participate in a unique human development & women's movement I'd love to tell you about. As a fellow actress I can relate so…
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) February 19, 2016
.@EmWatson well to your vision and what you want to see in the world. I think we could work together. Let me know if you're willing to chat
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) February 19, 2016
Mack also messaged the singer Kelly Clarkson although that communication is vaguer.
@kelly_clarkson I heard through the grapevine that you're a fan of Smallville. I'm a fan of yours as well! I'd love to chat sometime.
— Allison Mack (@allisonmack) July 20, 2013
If found guilty of these charges, Mack could be imprisoned for the rest of her life. The court proceedings against Mack are likely to begin on May 3.