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Smallville actress facing sex-trafficking charges

Allison Mack, who played Clark Kent's confidant Chloe in Smallville, pleads not guilty to serious charges in the US.

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US actress Allison Mack, who played Clark Kent’s confidant Chloe in Smallville, was arrested on Friday on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labour.

She is accused of recruiting women into a secret society known as NXIVM, led by self-help guru Keith Raniere. But US authorities allege it is a sex cult, charging both with multiple counts.

Mack, 35, pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted she could face up to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Mack helped recruit women for Raniere and his cult-like organisation, “[But] the victims were then exploited, both sexually and for their labour.

“Mack and other … masters recruited … slaves by telling them that they were joining a women-only organisation that would empower them and eradicate purported weaknesses the NVIVM curriculum taught were common in women.”

Prosecutors said she required women she recruited to engage in sexual activity with Raniere, who paid Mack in return.

Mack’s Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk recently said she was involved with one of the group’s self-help programs but left about five years ago. She wrote on Twitter that she didn’t experience any “nefarious activity” and was “horrified and disgusted” by the allegations.

Mack appeared in Smallville across 9 seasons. She also played played Amanda, the love interest of Elijah Wood’s character Ryan on the US adaptation of Wilfred.

Mack entered her plea and was remanded to custody after Judge Cheryl Pollak refused a request from her lawyers to release her without bail. A bail hearing will be held on Monday.

Source: ABC