The founders of a women-focused wellness organization, notable for promoting ‘orgasmic meditation,’ were convicted on Monday for their roles in a forced labor operation that exploited employees. A Brooklyn jury took less than two days to reach a verdict against Nicole Daedone, 57, and Rachel Cherwitz, 44, who face up to 20 years in prison following a five-week trial on federal charges.
Daedone initiated OneTaste Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, while Cherwitz previously held the position of sales director. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New York’s Eastern District announced that sentencing for both individuals will occur at a later date.
Prosecutors alleged that Daedone and Cherwitz orchestrated a long-term scheme that targeted followers—many of whom had experienced sexual trauma—and coerced them into performing uncomfortable and degrading acts for the company’s benefit. Testimonies revealed that they employed a mix of economic, sexual, and psychological manipulation to enforce compliance, even compelling some individuals to engage in sexual activities with prospective clients.
Three witnesses shared how they were forced to serve as ‘handlers’ for OneTaste’s initial investor, Daedone’s boyfriend, which involved living with him, preparing meals, and performing sexual acts under duress, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney in a news release.
The leadership of OneTaste purportedly misled their members into believing that such acts were vital for achieving ‘freedom’ and ‘enlightenment,’ reinforcing their commitment to the organization’s beliefs.
Prosecutors pointed out that the defendants failed to pay their members as promised and even pressured some to acquire credit cards to cover the costs of OneTaste’s courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Gupta emphasized in her closing statement that the defendants exploited victims who offered their resources—money, time, dignity, and mental health.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella remarked, ‘The jury’s verdict has unmasked Daedone and Cherwitz for who they truly are: grifters who preyed on vulnerable victims by making empty promises of sexual empowerment and wellness only to manipulate them into performing labor and services for the defendants’ benefit.’
Daedone’s defense team portrayed her as a pioneering feminist entrepreneur dedicated to women’s sexual empowerment. Cherwitz’s attorney, Celia Cohen, argued that the witnesses were not coerced and could leave the organization whenever they chose. ‘No matter what you think about OneTaste and what they were doing, they chose it. They knew what it was about,’ she stated, asserting that regret does not equate to criminality.
Both defendants maintain their innocence and plan to appeal the verdict, expressing disappointment over the jury’s decision and highlighting the case’s complex legal nuances. Daedone co-founded OneTaste in 2004, envisioning a self-help community centered on female sexual wellness, which included practices such as ‘orgasmic meditation,’ wherein men stimulated women in group settings.
At its peak during the 2010s, OneTaste received significant media attention and expanded globally across cities like Los Angeles and London, offering various courses and events for a fee. Daedone sold her share of the company in 2017 for $12 million, shortly before its labor practices came under scrutiny. The current ownership, now rebranded as the Institute of OM Foundation, contends that the organization’s mission has been misrepresented and asserts that the charges against Daedone and Cherwitz are unfounded, emphasizing that consent has always been a fundamental value. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment.