Topline: Nicole Daedone and a co-conspirator were sentenced for coercing followers into performing sex acts for clients and investors.
Published: April 1, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Nicole Daedone, Right: Rachel Cherwitz (via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY — A federal judge sentenced the founder of the wellness company OneTaste to nine years in prison for a forced labor conspiracy that used “orgasmic meditation” to exploit vulnerable women and coerce them into sex acts.
Nicole Daedone, 58, must also forfeit $12 million, according to federal prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Diane Gujarati awarded approximately $890,000 in restitution to seven victims during the hearing on March 30 in Brooklyn.
The sentence follows a conviction for a scheme that prosecutors said targeted people with histories of sexual trauma. OneTaste, co-founded by Daedone in 2004, marketed itself as a feminist organization focused on female sexual empowerment.
One victim told the court she believed in the mission of the company before realizing she had fallen into a trap. As per the Daily News, the woman said she suffered emotional harm and debt because of Daedone.
Judge Gujarati said the operation was not about enlightenment or edification. According to The New York Times, the judge described the actions of the company as criminal and noted that Daedone did not appear remorseful.
“What she was doing wasn’t about enlightenment or operating in a different dimension,” Judge Gujarati said. “It was criminal.”
Prosecutors requested a 20-year term for the New York resident. They argued in court filings that Daedone used multiple ways to control followers.
“Daedone and her co-conspirators exercised control through economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion and emotional degradation, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and lasting trauma,” prosecutors wrote.
Defense attorneys asked for a sentence of two years. They noted Daedone had no prior criminal record and submitted letters from more than 200 supporters.
CNN correspondent Van Jones and actor Richard Schiff were among those who wrote to the court. Jones described Daedone as a woman of wisdom and moral courage.
Schiff wrote that Daedone deserved leniency because she worked to bring honesty to misunderstood parts of the human experience. Daedone did not speak during the hearing.
Rachel Cherwitz, the former sales director for OneTaste, was also sentenced on March 30. Cherwitz, 45, received six and a half years in prison for her role in the conspiracy.
Prosecutors said the two women groomed members to perform sex acts with investors and clients. Adherents were told these acts were necessary to achieve personal freedom.
The trial lasted approximately one month. Evidence showed the company used indoctrination to force members into acts they found repulsive, according to the government.
Attorneys for the defense described Daedone as an entrepreneur who broke barriers in the wellness industry. They said they intend to appeal the conviction.
OneTaste began in San Francisco as a commune centered on “orgasmic meditation.” The practice involved men manually stimulating women in group settings.
The company expanded to cities including Los Angeles and London. It received positive media attention for several years before its labor practices faced investigation.
Daedone sold her interest in the company for $12 million in 2017. Current owners of the firm say the charges against the former executives were not justified.
Attorney Alan Dershowitz said he will seek a pardon from President Donald Trump for both women. Daedone has been teaching meditation to inmates while in custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Founder of ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ Company Convicted, Gets 9 Years for Sex Scheme
Nicole Daedone and a co-conspirator were sentenced for coercing followers into performing sex acts for clients and investors.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 1, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Nicole Daedone, Right: Rachel Cherwitz (via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY — A federal judge sentenced the founder of the wellness company OneTaste to nine years in prison for a forced labor conspiracy that used “orgasmic meditation” to exploit vulnerable women and coerce them into sex acts.
Nicole Daedone, 58, must also forfeit $12 million, according to federal prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Diane Gujarati awarded approximately $890,000 in restitution to seven victims during the hearing on March 30 in Brooklyn.
The sentence follows a conviction for a scheme that prosecutors said targeted people with histories of sexual trauma. OneTaste, co-founded by Daedone in 2004, marketed itself as a feminist organization focused on female sexual empowerment.
One victim told the court she believed in the mission of the company before realizing she had fallen into a trap. As per the Daily News, the woman said she suffered emotional harm and debt because of Daedone.
Judge Gujarati said the operation was not about enlightenment or edification. According to The New York Times, the judge described the actions of the company as criminal and noted that Daedone did not appear remorseful.
“What she was doing wasn’t about enlightenment or operating in a different dimension,” Judge Gujarati said. “It was criminal.”
Prosecutors requested a 20-year term for the New York resident. They argued in court filings that Daedone used multiple ways to control followers.
“Daedone and her co-conspirators exercised control through economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion and emotional degradation, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and lasting trauma,” prosecutors wrote.
Defense attorneys asked for a sentence of two years. They noted Daedone had no prior criminal record and submitted letters from more than 200 supporters.
CNN correspondent Van Jones and actor Richard Schiff were among those who wrote to the court. Jones described Daedone as a woman of wisdom and moral courage.
Schiff wrote that Daedone deserved leniency because she worked to bring honesty to misunderstood parts of the human experience. Daedone did not speak during the hearing.
Rachel Cherwitz, the former sales director for OneTaste, was also sentenced on March 30. Cherwitz, 45, received six and a half years in prison for her role in the conspiracy.
Prosecutors said the two women groomed members to perform sex acts with investors and clients. Adherents were told these acts were necessary to achieve personal freedom.
The trial lasted approximately one month. Evidence showed the company used indoctrination to force members into acts they found repulsive, according to the government.
Attorneys for the defense described Daedone as an entrepreneur who broke barriers in the wellness industry. They said they intend to appeal the conviction.
OneTaste began in San Francisco as a commune centered on “orgasmic meditation.” The practice involved men manually stimulating women in group settings.
The company expanded to cities including Los Angeles and London. It received positive media attention for several years before its labor practices faced investigation.
Daedone sold her interest in the company for $12 million in 2017. Current owners of the firm say the charges against the former executives were not justified.
Attorney Alan Dershowitz said he will seek a pardon from President Donald Trump for both women. Daedone has been teaching meditation to inmates while in custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Founder of ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ Company Convicted, Gets 9 Years for Sex Scheme
Nicole Daedone and a co-conspirator were sentenced for coercing followers into performing sex acts for clients and investors.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 1, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Nicole Daedone, Right: Rachel Cherwitz (via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY — A federal judge sentenced the founder of the wellness company OneTaste to nine years in prison for a forced labor conspiracy that used “orgasmic meditation” to exploit vulnerable women and coerce them into sex acts.
Nicole Daedone, 58, must also forfeit $12 million, according to federal prosecutors. U.S. District Court Judge Diane Gujarati awarded approximately $890,000 in restitution to seven victims during the hearing on March 30 in Brooklyn.
The sentence follows a conviction for a scheme that prosecutors said targeted people with histories of sexual trauma. OneTaste, co-founded by Daedone in 2004, marketed itself as a feminist organization focused on female sexual empowerment.
One victim told the court she believed in the mission of the company before realizing she had fallen into a trap. As per the Daily News, the woman said she suffered emotional harm and debt because of Daedone.
Judge Gujarati said the operation was not about enlightenment or edification. According to The New York Times, the judge described the actions of the company as criminal and noted that Daedone did not appear remorseful.
“What she was doing wasn’t about enlightenment or operating in a different dimension,” Judge Gujarati said. “It was criminal.”
Prosecutors requested a 20-year term for the New York resident. They argued in court filings that Daedone used multiple ways to control followers.
“Daedone and her co-conspirators exercised control through economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion and emotional degradation, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and lasting trauma,” prosecutors wrote.
Defense attorneys asked for a sentence of two years. They noted Daedone had no prior criminal record and submitted letters from more than 200 supporters.
CNN correspondent Van Jones and actor Richard Schiff were among those who wrote to the court. Jones described Daedone as a woman of wisdom and moral courage.
Schiff wrote that Daedone deserved leniency because she worked to bring honesty to misunderstood parts of the human experience. Daedone did not speak during the hearing.
Rachel Cherwitz, the former sales director for OneTaste, was also sentenced on March 30. Cherwitz, 45, received six and a half years in prison for her role in the conspiracy.
Prosecutors said the two women groomed members to perform sex acts with investors and clients. Adherents were told these acts were necessary to achieve personal freedom.
The trial lasted approximately one month. Evidence showed the company used indoctrination to force members into acts they found repulsive, according to the government.
Attorneys for the defense described Daedone as an entrepreneur who broke barriers in the wellness industry. They said they intend to appeal the conviction.
OneTaste began in San Francisco as a commune centered on “orgasmic meditation.” The practice involved men manually stimulating women in group settings.
The company expanded to cities including Los Angeles and London. It received positive media attention for several years before its labor practices faced investigation.
Daedone sold her interest in the company for $12 million in 2017. Current owners of the firm say the charges against the former executives were not justified.
Attorney Alan Dershowitz said he will seek a pardon from President Donald Trump for both women. Daedone has been teaching meditation to inmates while in custody.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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