In New York, leaders of a wellness company centered around sexual health have been found guilty of federal forced labor charges. A Brooklyn jury convicted Nicole Daedone, the founder of OneTaste Inc., and Rachel Cherwitz, the company’s former sales director. The verdict came after a five-week trial and less than two days of jury deliberation, with each facing a possible sentence of up to 20 years.
Prosecutors accused Daedone and Cherwitz of orchestrating a long-running scheme that involved grooming individuals, many of whom were survivors of sexual trauma, for their gain. They claimed the pair utilized economic, sexual, and psychological forms of abuse, along with intimidation and brainwashing, to coerce OneTaste members into uncomfortable or objectionable sexual activities. These included engaging in sexual acts with potential investors or clients. The women allegedly argued that these acts were essential to achieve “freedom” and “enlightenment,” exemplifying commitment to the organization’s ideals.
Additionally, prosecutors charged that the leaders failed to pay promised compensation to members who became workers and even forced some to obtain new credit cards to continue participating in company courses. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nina Gupta stated in her closing remarks that the defendants created a business that exploited victims who surrendered everything to them, including their finances, time, bodies, dignity, and mental well-being.
Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated that the jury’s decision exposed Daedone and Cherwitz as exploitative figures who targeted vulnerable individuals with false assurances of sexual empowerment and wellness, only to manipulate them for their own advantage.
Daedone’s defense described her as a trailblazing feminist entrepreneur who devised a business centered on women’s sexuality and empowerment. Cherwitz’s lawyer, Celia Cohen, argued that witnesses were not coerced into doing anything and simply departed when they grew dissatisfied or desired change. Cohen stated, “They made the choice and understood what it involved.” She contended that regrets over past actions do not constitute evidence of a crime.
The defendants’ legal representatives expressed disappointment with the verdict, asserting their clients’ innocence and plans to appeal. They noted that the case posed numerous novel and intricate legal issues that would necessitate review. Daedone established OneTaste in San Francisco in 2004 as a self-help community emphasizing female orgasms as crucial for sexual, psychological, and relational well-being.
The method of “orgasmic meditation” or “OM” involved men manually stimulating women in group settings. The company gained favorable media attention in the 2010s and swiftly expanded to locations like Los Angeles and London. It was lauded as an avant-garde enterprise that prioritized women’s sexual pleasure, generating revenue through courses, coaching, OM events, and other practices. Daedone sold her stake for $12 million in 2017, one year prior to investigations into OneTaste’s marketing and labor practices.
The current owners, now rebranded as the Institute of OM Foundation, assert that their efforts have been misinterpreted and that charges against its former executives lacked justification. They maintain that sexual consent has always been integral to their organization. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.