NEW YORK – Seagrams heiress Clare Bronfman could be looking at more prison time than she expected for her crimes in the sprawling NXIVM case.

Bronfman, who served as NXIVM’s director of operations and helped bankroll the cult-like organization led by disgraced self-help guru Keith Raniere, was expected to face a sentence of 21 to 27 months at her sentencing on Jan. 8 in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. That was based on projected sentencing guidelines as noted when Bronfman pleaded guilty in April. She waived an appeal on any sentence shorter than 27 months.

On Tuesday, Senior U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis informed federal prosecutors and Bronfman’s attorney that he is considering an “above guidelines sentence” for the 40-year-old heiress. That means he could impose more prison time for the daughter of the late Seagrams' tycoon Edgar Bronfman than would typically be given under federal sentencing guidelines.

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Federal judges typically rely on such guidelines to impose more lenient sentences for defendants who, based on statutes, would face several more years in prison. Bronfman’s case would present the opposite of that trend for a defendant who was considered the financial muscle for NXIVM.

Bronfman, of Manhattan and Clifton Park, pleaded guilty April 19 to conspiracy to conceal and harbor illegal aliens for financial gain and fraudulent use of identification. In the latter charge, Bronfman acknowledged she provided Raniere with credit card number information of a deceased person — high-ranking NXIVM official Pamela Cafritz — to help Raniere avoid taxes.

The first charge, under the law, can carry up to 10 years in prison. The second charge can carry up to 15 years. On the day of Bronfman's guilty pleas, the judge told her such terms could run concurrently or consecutively. She could also face fines exceeding $500,000; Bronfman previously agreed to forfeit $6 million.

The judge made no promises.

"I'm not required to sentence you within the range provided by the guideline, but I am required to carefully consider the guideline recommendation, among other things, in deciding what would constitute a reasonable sentence in your case," Garaufis told Bronfman. "It's my experience that a sentence within the guideline range is often reasonable and appropriate, but this is not always the case."

"I may ultimately decide to impose a sentence that is more lenient or more severe than the one recommended by the guidelines," he added. "If I do so, I will explain the reasons for the sentence that I have selected."

At the time, Bronfman admitted to both crimes. "I was wrong to facilitate the use of someone's credit card who had passed away," she said.

"I meant no harm in either case," Bronfman told the judge. "However, that does not justify my actions nor their effects, and for this I am truly sorry. I endeavored to do good in the world and to help people. However, I have made mistakes. This experience has taught me the gravity of my responsibility, and I will take these lessons forward in every future decision."

Raniere, 59, known as “Vanguard,” was convicted of all seven counts in his nearly two-month trial last spring. Jurors found the purported self-improvement guru guilty of sex trafficking, forced labor and racketeering charges that contained underlying acts of identity theft, obstruction of justice, wire and visa fraud, forced labor, human trafficking, sex trafficking, money laundering, child exploitation and possession of child pornography.

Raniere faces the possibility of life in prison at his Jan. 17 sentencing.

Former NXIVM president Nancy Salzman — known as “Prefect” — as well as her daughter, Lauren Salzman, actress Allison Mack and bookkeeper Kathy Russell all pleaded guilty before the trial.

Lauren Salzman became a key witness for prosecutors.

The judge gave Bronfman's attorney until Dec. 30 to submit their pre-sentencing recommendations to the court. Prosecutors will have until Jan. 3 to respond to the defense's request. Bronfman's lawyer would have three days to respond.