Vulnerable women were allegedly sexually exploited by an Argentina-based yoga group to get money from wealthy and powerful men. It included opera star Placido Domingo, who is said to have known the organization’s leaders for more than two decades.
The sect-like Buenos Aires Yoga School, which operated for more than 30 years in Argentina’s capital, is being investigated, reported ABC News. The investigation has uncovered what authorities are calling a criminal organization that is involved in sex trafficking, involuntary servitude, money laundering, illegal practice of medicine and other crimes. So far, 19 members have been arrested in the investigation that reaches into America. In the U.S., six more suspects are sought.
The school actually did not offer yoga classes. According to charging documents, leaders are accused of preying on people to join its ranks. They were promised of eternal happiness, but were exploited sexually and financially. Officials investigating the case and former members of the school told AP News that the group forced female members to work as “geishas.”
They were assigned to make guests feel welcome at the school. Sex was part of the expectations. Wealthy or influential men were matched up with members of the “Geishado VIP.” According to the charging documents, it was one of many groups of women that were forced to have sexual encounters in exchange for money and influence that benefited sect leaders. Authorities said that some of the women were sent to America and Uruguay to have sex with men. It was a practice that amounted to slavery.
Pablo Salum, a former member, said that his sister and mother were among the women who were exploited in Argentina. He described orgies and sexual abuse of children. He said that when kids turned 11 or 12, the leader "told you who you had to have sexual relations with." He shared that younger children were made to watch sexual activity. He said that he was brought into the organization by his mother when he 8 and he left when he was 14 years old. Salum's accusations helped spark the current probe.
According to the investigative documents and a police official, some of the group members were reduced to “a situation of slavery." They were forced to have sexual encounters and tasked with menial chores at the school like cooking and cleaning. A former member named Carlos said that male and female “slaves” were required to follow instructions without asking any questions.
As for Domingo, he found himself embroiled in the scandal after law enforcement officers carried out several raids in Buenos Aires last month targeting the school. A law enforcement source in Argentina said that he was “a consumer of prostitution,” but isn't accused of a crime as prostitution is legal in Argentina. According to 5 NBCDFW, he has publicly tried to distance himself from the controversial group.
