Shocking Sex Cult Twist: NXIVM Lawyers Exposed As Father & Daughter
Mar. 5 2019, Updated 9:07 a.m. ET
Two of the lawyers representing the NXIVM defendants have been revealed as a father and daughter – and the government is now claiming this could raise an issue in the case, RadarOnline.com can report.
At a court hearing on Thursday, Feb. 28, it was revealed that Teny Geragos was added to NXIVM founder Keith Raniere's legal team. The court was then made aware that Teny is the daughter of Mark Geragos, who represents co-defendant Clare Bronfman. The father and daughter work for two separate law firms.
U.S. attorneys filed a court document on March 1 requesting that a hearing be scheduled to determine the risk of the attorneys' familial relation.
"There is a risk that because they are father and daughter, their duties of judgment and loyalty may be impaired," the documents claimed.
"For example, there is a risk that they could reveal client confidences to one another," the filing continued.
Mark and Teny Geragos made the court aware that they are related shortly after the attorneys were added to their respective clients' legal teams last week. Mark insisted he and his daughter would work professionally on the case and not let their relationship interfere.
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Raniere is still being held in prison as he awaits trial, which is anticipated to begin in April.
Meanwhile, Bronfman – who reportedly amassed a fortune from her father's former position as the Seagram's chairman – has been released on bail.
To make the matter even more complicated, months ago it was revealed that Bronfman had set up the trust fund that was paying the NXIVM defendants' legal fees. This spawned the court to hold multiple Curcio hearings for each defendant regarding their understandings of the trust fund.
According to the government's March 1 filing, the father-daughter duo's representation of two separate clients in the case is a "unique situation."
The government has requested an additional Curcio hearing take place to determine whether Raniere and Bronfman "understand the potential conflict raised" by their attorneys.
The government is also seeking to determine "the nature and extent of that conflict" and whether each defendant is "willing and able to make a knowing and voluntary waiver of the conflict."
As of Monday morning, the judge had not yet approved the government's request.
What do you think of the father-daughter duo representing two NXIVM defendants? Sound off in the comments!
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