Barry Meieroct in The New York Times writes a long story about Nxivm (pronounced Nex-e-um), which Wikipedia describes as, "a pyramid-selling organization centred on the provision of classes and seminars that encourage clients to pursue a path of personal and professional development. Based in Albany County, New York.... founded in 1998 by Keith Raniere." The Times story describes "a secret sisterhood" where women are branded and required to provide naked photos of themselves. From the story: "Each woman was told to undress and lie on a massage table, while three others restrained her legs and shoulders. According to one of them, their 'master,' a top Nxivm official named Lauren Salzman, instructed them to say: 'Master, please brand me, it would be an honor.' A female doctor proceeded to use a cauterizing device to sear a two-inch-square symbol below each woman’s hip, a procedure that took 20 to 30 minutes. For hours, muffled screams and the smell of burning tissue filled the room." The group is based in Albany and has chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The story says most people that engage with the group just take self-help seminars, but women who get more involved get branded. One woman filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Health in July against Danielle Roberts, a licensed osteopath who performed the branding, but the agency says Roberts was not acting as a doctor, so they will not investigate the charge. A state police investigator reportedly told three woman they will not investigate the brandings, as they were consensual. In 2012, the Albany Times Union also reported about Nxivm. Read the latest story about the group in The New York Times.