Lawrence Ray, 62, was convicted at a trial where weeks of testimony chronicled his psychologically manipulative relationship with young people he met in fall 2010 at Sarah Lawrence College, a small New York liberal arts school.
Ray, who stood with his arms at his side and faced the Manhattan jury as guilty verdicts were returned on 15 counts, could face up to life in prison.
“For the next decade, he used violence, threats, and psychological abuse to try to control and destroy their lives,” Williams said.
One woman testified that she became a sex worker to try to pay reparations to Ray after becoming convinced that she had poisoned him.
Several students testified that they were drawn into Ray’s world as he told them stories of his past influence in New York City politics, including his role in ruining the career of former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik after serving as the best man at his wedding years earlier.
To make amends, they testified, they did what he asked, including turning over money.
Prosecutors said the money was never enough.
Ray carried out his crimes with help from his daughter and Isabella Pollok, a woman who has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges, prosecutors said.