Jury selection to begin in New York group’s sex-slave case

NEW YORK (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin for a trial featuring sensational allegations that a cult-like group based in upstate New York turned women into sex slaves who were branded with the initials of its spiritual leader.

Potential jurors will be asked to fill out questionnaires Monday in federal court in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors say the purported self-help group called NXIVM formed a secret society of women who had unwanted sex with guru Keith Raniere.

Raniere and three co-defendants including heiress Clare Bronfman and TV actress Allison Mack have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and other charges in the sex-trafficking case.

A judge hasn’t ruled yet on requests by the co-defendants to get trials separate from Raniere.

Opening statements are scheduled for April 29.