Don’t believe everything you read. I met a few of the guys in “the gang” and although their pictures were often overly flattering and they upcharged when they could, there was never any indications of the accusations you quoted. Mostly, they were young guys from Europe, seeking a good time in New York City and funding their partying and travels by working in gyms as trainers and doing massage gigs.
Of course, I did not meet everyone alleged to be part of the “gang” so I can only speak to what the ones I did meet told me.