Seagrams Heirs Unable to Shake All Claims Linked to Sex Cult

Sara and Clare Bronfman, who are heirs to the Seagrams estate, must face civil claims against them by victims of the sex cult NXIVM, a federal court said.

According to the complaint, Keith Raniere created NXIVM to offer courses ostensibly designed to help people reach their full “human potential” by overcoming psychological and emotional pitfalls. Many of the groups’ members paid thousands of dollars to attend self-help workshops. Some women belonged to a subgroup called DOS, which had “masters” and “slaves” and performed sex acts at Raniere’s direction.

Sara joined NXIVM in 2001 and Clare joined in 2004, the suit ...