Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz, leaders of the sexual wellness company OneTaste Inc., have been convicted on federal forced labor charges by a Brooklyn jury. During a five-week trial, prosecutors argued that Daedone, 57, and Cherwitz, 44, exploited vulnerable individuals, often survivors of sexual trauma, by coercing them into uncomfortable sexual acts under the guise of seeking “freedom” and “enlightenment.” The jury found that the defendants used intimidation and psychological abuse to manipulate members into performing acts that included sexual services for prospective clients.
Prosecutors highlighted that the duo failed to pay promised earnings to their adherents and even pressured some to take out credit cards to finance their courses. They argued that the business thrived on the exploitation of individuals who were led to believe in the empowerment of women’s sexuality, while in reality, they became victims stripped of their dignity and financial independence.
In their defense, Daedone’s team portrayed her as a feminist entrepreneur while Cherwitz’s lawyer argued that many participants voluntarily left the organization if they found it unsatisfactory, suggesting that witnessing their subsequent regret does not constitute coercion. Despite their appeals, the defendants maintain their innocence and plan to appeal the verdict.
OneTaste, which Daedone co-founded in 2004, promoted “orgasmic meditation” as integral to wellness, gaining popularity in the 2010s. The company thrived by offering courses and events centered on female pleasure until scrutiny of its practices began. Following her departure in 2017, Daedone sold her stake for $12 million. The current leadership of OneTaste, now named the Institute of OM Foundation, insists that its mission has been misrepresented and that consent was always central to their practices.
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