Lawrence Ray, the man who led a disturbing cult at Sarah Lawrence College, is now serving a long prison sentence. In April 2022, he was found guilty of 15 serious crimes, including sex trafficking and extortion.
Ray’s story is a dark one. He moved into his daughter’s college dorm and began to control and abuse a group of students. He manipulated them emotionally, physically, and sexually for almost ten years, moving them between different states.
In January 2023, a judge sentenced Ray to 60 years in prison. The judge praised the courage of his victims for facing him in court. Additionally, Two former students sued the college, claiming it failed to protect them from Ray’s abuse, according to The New York Times.
Before the police got involved, “The Cut” reported about Ray, his crimes, and the things he did to people.
Larry, whose real name is Lawrence Grecco, grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He worked in finance and consulting but never finished college. Although he briefly served in the Air Force, he falsely claimed to have worked for the CIA.
Ray was involved in the downfall of a New York City police commissioner. He helped expose illegal gifts and renovations that led to the commissioner’s resignation and later conviction on federal charges.
Before the Sarah Lawrence case, Ray had been convicted of fraud. He was also accused of domestic violence and had a difficult divorce, blaming his legal problems on government conspiracies.
Doctors diagnosed Ray with personality disorders, describing him as manipulative and charming but also calculating and hostile.
After getting out of prison for a previous crime, Ray moved in with his daughter at Sarah Lawrence College. He quickly gained influence over her friends, acting like a guru and counselor. He isolated them, manipulated their pasts, and forced them into sexual acts, recording them and threatening to release the videos.
Most of Ray’s victims eventually escaped, but some remained under his control for years.
In January 2023, Ray received a 60-year prison sentence for his crimes. The U.S. Attorney called him a “monster” who caused lasting harm to his victims. Besides prison, he received a lifetime of supervised release and had to give up more than $2.4 million.
Even from prison, Ray claims he is innocent and plans to appeal his conviction.
