My old friend and NXIVM fighter Joe O’Hara has died. He was, I believe, 74.
He died suddenly and, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, without any known, protracted or painful illness. In fact, he was cheerful the last time I spoke to him a few days ago.
He did a lot to end the reign of terror that was Bronfman/Raniere. Joe was behind many news stories attacking Keith Raniere. I have seen emails and documents he sent to authorities trying to get them interested in investigating NXIVM.
He would write for Frank Report, and his stories were widely read.
Joe was the one who first exposed Rainbow Cultural Garden and brought attention to the mystery child taught by Raniere. He later exposed that that child was Raniere’s son.
He worked with John Tighe to expose Raniere. He was virtually the sole ally of Toni Natalie for years, helping her fight her jealous former lover. He provided counsel and advice to Susan Dones, Kim Woolhouse, and Barbara Bouchey – all of whom fought Raniere – in self defense. All they wanted to do was get away. Joe provided Rick Ross with critical information about NXIVM spying on him. He provided reporter Chet Hardin with information for stories and was a named source on numerous stories in the Albany Times Union.
All the defenders of Raniere/Bronfman’s vicious attacks, whether silent or vocal – knew Joe was in there fighting – using his tactical skills. And it took real guts to put your name on things before Bronfman/Raniere were prosecuted.
As I said, I was in regular contact with Joe – so this loss is a little shocking to me. We spoke often and emailed, and we met not too long ago in Texas. I always expected we had more work to do.
I received these comments from him recently by email:
“Have you noticed how the current campaign has adopted some of the NXIVM verbiage? Harris refers to Trump and his followers as “The Cult of Personality” – and then campaigns on the notion that she will bring “Joy” to everyone. I’m guessing that Raniere will be suing her for some type of patent infringement claim any day now.”
He sent me a recent motion in Raniere’s lawsuit against the BOP and commented:
A lot of blah, blah, blah – but all these new filings really indicate is the following:
Raniere was originally only in the SHU from July 26, 2022 to March 28, 2023 (It’s possible that he subsequently got sent back there for other violations);
Aidala is just as incompetent as all of Raniere’s prior attorneys – and blames the clerical staff when he fucks up;
Raniere and his attorneys don’t understand – and/or don’t accept – the fact that the BOP’s Administrative Review Process is just a mechanism for keeping prisoners from filing winnable lawsuits;
Raniere has the handwriting of a 2nd grader; and
Raniere has yet to accept the fact that he’s going to die in prison.
I continue to believe that once this stupid case is dismissed, Raniere will be sent packing out of Tucson.
When he learned Nancy Salzman had a dispute over an agreement she made with attorney Neil Glazer, he wrote:
Needless to say, I am SHOCKED that Nancy is not complying with the terms of the “Settlement Agreement” that she entered into with the plaintiffs in this case.
Joe O’Hara worked for NXIVM as a consultant – in October 2003 to December 21, 2005. He quit. They went after him, spending millions to destroy him. They almost succeeded. NXIVM got him indicted twice, both cases were dismissed, but it caused him to be financially ruined.
Joe had gotten a dog in the last year of his life – got him as a puppy, and he grew up to be a giant German Shepherd – Max, who he leaves behind, and of course a son, Alex, and a grandson. Joe lived outside Pittsburg for the last years of his life.
Later on, I will tell his story better. I don’t feel like writing much right now, for I just learned about his untimely passing an hour ago. John Tighe called me and I called his great friend Susan Dones to confirm. Both said his son told them.
I am not normally taken aback by news, but Joe was a friend, peer, and fellow fighter in a war for our freedom from the vicious Clare Bronfman and Keith Raniere. We both suffered from their ruthless desire to destroy others.
You kind of think of someone like that to be with you and you for him. It’s like a brick from the building of your life has fallen.
