AceShowbiz - Allison Mack reportedly told a journalist it was her idea to brand female members of the controversial self-help group NXIVM.

Mack was arrested in New York in April and indicted on a string of counts amid allegations suggesting she was second-in-command of the NXIVM collective and a sub-group called Dominus Obsequious Sororium (DOS).

According to the New York Times Magazine, the former Smallville star told a reporter that she was the one who decided some women should be marked with co-founder Keith Raniere’s initials, using a cauterising pen.

Mack is quoted as saying in the article: "I was like: 'Y'all, a tattoo? People get drunk and tattooed on their ankle "BFF," or a tramp stamp'. I have two tattoos and they mean nothing."

She explained that she "wanted to do something more meaningful, something that took guts".

The symbol each member was branded with appears to have included not just Raniere's initials but also an "AM" – Mack's initials.

Raniere was arrested in Mexico in March, while Mack was taken into custody the following month.

Both face the same federal charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labour conspiracy, and have pleaded not guilty.

A representative for Mack previously declined to comment on the article.

Mack and Raniere are scheduled to stand trial on 1 October.